News

Level 3 Medical Gas (Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide) Line Sizing

August 23, 2011/0 Comments/in Medical Gas Testing Medical Gas Training News / by Cary Darden

NFPA 99 defines the medical gas systems for all healthcare facilities based on a number of factors all related to the safety of the patients who are connected to them. Each medical gas “system” from the source equipment to the outlet/inlet termination point can be placed into one of three categories or “levels”. The least stringent requirements are applicable to Level 3 facilities which are typically (but not necessarily always) dental facilities.

One of the requirements for the oxygen and nitrous oxide piping systems for Level 3 facilities is that the line sizes for each of these gases be different so as to clearly distinguish separation of the piping systems as they are routed throughout the facility. Para. 5.3.10.10.3 of the 2005 edition of NFPA 99 dictates a minimum line size of (NPS 3/8” or ½” OD) for oxygen systems and (NPS ¼” or 3/8” OD) for nitrous oxide systems. The intent of this distinction is to prevent cross connection of these two gases as explained in Para. A.5.3.10.10.3.  Most of these source systems (manifolds) are manufactured as a common enclosure for both gases, with two copper feed lines extending out from the top of the enclosure.  Sometimes these feed lines are the same line size, which can be confusing, especially if these lines are not correctly labeled.

Recently, (March 2009) a terrible accident occurred in Togonoxie, KS when a patient in a dental office was given nitrous oxide gas instead of oxygen, as a practitioner intended.  According to news reports, this mistake was due to the “incorrect connection of the medical gas lines.” The full article on this medical gas mishap can be viewed at: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/apr/22/medical-gas-accident-may-lead-policy-change/

EMGS Expands Training Services Internationally

August 23, 2011/0 Comments/in Medical Gas Training News / by Cary Darden

EMGS, Inc. is pleased to announce its’ recent contracts with two international companies to provide medical gas training. Both sessions will take place in 2011 in Central and Latin American countries. Our training material has been translated from English to Spanish to better serve these clients, and we look forward to establishing and building upon this international relationship.

The need for medical gas training is global. The importance of proper installation and inspection services is paramount anywhere in the world. If you enjoy traveling, take into consideration that accidents and illness can happen anytime, anywhere. While a trip to the hospital is not on anyone’s vacation itinerary, if you did end up in a hospital, you would hope that the facility operates under appropriate safety standards. EMGS, Inc. strives to teach safety standards and elevate the importance of the medical gas industry so that we all benefit.

We look forward to further training opportunities, both domestic and international.

Lokring Medical Gas Fittings

July 20, 2011/0 Comments/in News Products / by Cary Darden

Lokring Technology offers a permanent, axially swaged fitting for medical gas applications that is approved by NFPA 99C 2005 (Paragraph 5.1.10.7 (4)).

The leak-free seal is the result of elastic strain preload technology where the axial movement of the LOKRING driver over the body swages the body onto the tube’s surface forming a 360 degree circumferential permanent metal-to-metal seal.

The installation of LOKRING Medical Gas fittings takes minimal time since no brazing and nitrogen purging are required, thus reducing costs and most importantly minimizing patient disruption.

EMGS, Inc.  is the only authorized Lokring distributor in the state of Georgia.  Lokring technology is approved by NFPA 99C and is a great solution for medical gas tie-ins in sensitive locations throughout the hospital, i.e. ICU. Contact EMGS for additional information regarding Lokring fittings and installation training classes.

Click here to see the LOKRING Medical Gas Fitting Brochure

Medical Gas Master Alarms - Problems and Solutions

July 20, 2011/0 Comments/in Medical Gas Testing News Products Service / by Cary Darden

Medical gas master alarms are among the most crucial pieces of equipment in a healthcare facility.  They monitor life saving gases such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, etc.  The Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies have moved the master alarm system for medical gases to the top of their list when addressing areas of concern.  In other words, if you have a problem with your medical gas master alarms, you need to fix it quickly.  Problems or deficiencies with these alarms present a distinct hazard to patient safety and must be dealt with.

The issue within most facilities is that the alarm systems, or at least the wiring is very old.  So while other portions of the system have been upgraded, the master alarms are still operating on an antiquated copper wire system that may not meet the current specifications for the newer alarm panels.  The other issue is that hospital ceilings are full, very full, with little room to run additional conduit and wire, making the addition of alarm panels in different locations costly and time consuming.

There is another way…ethernet.  Your hospital has it, every hospital has it, most houses even have it!  Ethernet is a scalable technology that is likely kept up to date by your IT department.  At EMGS, we have the expertise to work with your IT department and utilize your existing infrastructure to provide you with a master alarm anywhere you have a computer with an intranet connection to your facility’s network.  This is all accomplished via the Amico AIMS Ethernet solution.

EMGS recently completed this project at Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, Ga.  They had a need for a master alarm in their engineering annex building, but running new wire all the way to that building was going to be difficult due to the crowded ceilings and having to traverse buildings.  We implemented the Amico AIMS Ethernet solution, and now they have a touchscreen panel (pictured to the right) that shows them in real time the status of all of their master alarms for the facility.  They also get an e-mail notification any time an alarm goes off, thereby creating a log of alarms and notifying the appropriate staff.

If you have medical gas master alarm issues, take heart, they aren’t as bad as they seem.  They can be resolved and it can be done with less of a headache than you think.  Give us a call and we will work with you to create a solution that is perfect for your facility.

Level 3 Medical Gas (Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide) Line Sizing

June 22, 2011/0 Comments/in Medical Gas Testing Medical Gas Training News / by Cary Darden

NFPA 99 defines the medical gas systems for all healthcare facilities based on a number of factors all related to the safety of the patients who are connected to them. Each medical gas “system” from the source equipment to the outlet/inlet termination point can be placed into one of three categories or “levels”. The least stringent requirements are applicable to Level 3 facilities which are typically (but not necessarily always) dental facilities.

One of the requirements for the oxygen and nitrous oxide piping systems for Level 3 facilities is that the line sizes for each of these gases be different so as to clearly distinguish separation of the piping systems as they are routed throughout the facility. Para. 5.3.10.10.3 of the 2005 edition of NFPA 99 dictates a minimum line size of (NPS 3/8” or ½” OD) for oxygen systems and (NPS ¼” or 3/8” OD) for nitrous oxide systems. The intent of this distinction is to prevent cross connection of these two gases as explained in Para. A.5.3.10.10.3. Most of these source systems (manifolds) are manufactured as a common enclosure for both gases, with two copper feed lines extending out from the top of the enclosure. Sometimes these feed lines are the same line size, which can be confusing, especially if these lines are not correctly labeled.

Recently, (March 2009) a terrible accident occurred in Togonoxie, KS when a patient in a dental office was given nitrous oxide gas instead of oxygen, as a practitioner intended. According to news reports, this mistake was due to the “incorrect connection of the medical gas lines.” The full article on this medical gas mishap can be viewed at: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/apr/22/medical-gas-accident-may-lead-policy-change/