How Healthcare Facilities Maintain Reliable Medical Gas Systems

Every facility that uses industrial gas understands the importance of reliability. But the medical industry is, understandably, particularly cautious. Mistakes in gas supply at a hospital can be especially catastrophic, hurting patient outcomes and costing lives.

At nexAir, we’ve heard it all: Backup tanks showing up empty at 2am, contaminated cylinders delaying critical surgeries, supply chain disruptions crippling emergency room operations. These issues affect even the most well-oiled hospitals.

In this article, we’ll dive a little deeper into how healthcare facilities can maintain more reliable systems, and how suppliers like nexAir support this crucial mission.

Advanced Inventory Management

Many gas cylinders already come equipped with trackers that allow for a quick headcount. But in such a critical setting, that isn’t enough. Today’s medical-grade cylinders must, instead, come equipped with comprehensive management tools.

nexAir’s gas solutions, for instance, are equipped with predictive analytics features. Data is used to study usage patterns across different departments, flag potential issues, enable prompt reordering, and so much more. These features also allow medical teams to make efficiency improvements, while ensuring the safety of their staff and patients.

Smoother Supply Chains

All hospitals rely on a steady stream of uninterrupted gas, whether to ensure critical patients are comfortable, or for an emergency surgery in the ER. Running out in such a dire circumstance is not an option. That’s why healthcare facilities must work with suppliers who understand the urgency — and are available around the clock.

At nexAir, our team works 24×7 to ensure minimal disruptions. Orders can be placed on the nexAir NOW store any time of the day or night — and deliveries can even be expedited for medical professionals in emergency situations.

Meanwhile, our delivery systems keep you notified on which cylinders are arriving at what time — while our rigorous testing ensures you’re never delivered the wrong order. This mix of reliability and speed is what makes us such a trusted supplier.

Strict Storage and Handling Protocols

When working with a substance as volatile and contaminant prone as medical-grade gas, safety precautions are paramount. Proper cylinder handling and storage practices reduce the risk of errors, as well as improve the reliability of the gases.

Cylinders should, for example, always be secured in an upright position, and secured with chains to prevent them from falling over. Without this, the cylinders could develop leaks, which can deplete a crucial gas like oxygen much faster than expected.

Gas leaks in non-ventilated areas can also be dangerous for worker safety. Healthcare facilities should have well-ventilated and temperature-controlled storage areas, free from moisture, flammable materials, and heat sources.

At nexAir, we make this task easier, by providing cylinders with the appropriate protections, as well as gas monitors and ventilation systems to detect and swiftly deal with leaks. We also conduct safety workshops for medical staff to make the most of their equipment, reduce waste, and boost reliability.

Explore nexAir’s Medical-Grade Gas Solutions

At the end of the day, the biggest indicator of reliability is consistency. And at nexAir, we’ve spent over 80 years supplying critical industries with industrial gases and blends.

The quality of our products, coupled with our industry KnowHow, make us a trusted partner for healthcare facilities across the Southeast. To learn more about how we can help you Forge Forward with your operations, visit the nexAir Now store today.