What Are Medical Gases.To Give You An Idea

by Oxy99 Cans oxy99cans

Numerous gases are used in hospitals of which important ones are supply piped oxygen, nitrous oxide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and medical air. Hospitals are equipped with medical piping systems for delivering gases to patient rooms, recovery areas, nitrous oxide, operating rooms, etc.There are automated alarm systems that monitor gas flow and alert the staff in case of disturbance. Various types of gases used in the hospitals are discussed below:-

Types of medical gases

Oxygen

It is the most important medical gas used in hospitals. The gas is used for supplemental oxygenation because of hypoxemia and hypoxia (insufficient oxygen in the blood). Hospital piping system contains large storage system of liquid oxygen, which is then evaporated into a concentrated oxygen system. Pressure is kept at around 380 kPa or 55 psi.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is used as an analgesic & is used as anesthetic for pre-operative procedures. It is delivered to hospitals in standard tanks and is supplied through medical gas system at around 345 kPa, or 50 psi.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is used for preparing surgical equipment for surgical equipment in order to perform various procedures.The gas is also used for freezing & preserving blood, tissue, and other biological specimens, etc.Cryogenic nitrogen is also used for freezing and destroying diseased tissue in dermatology and cryosurgery.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is used for treating various tissues besides being employed in laser surgeries. It is also used for performing abdominal and thoracic surgeries, where a surgeon might be required to move various organs to access a particular area of the body. The gas is also combined with oxygen can or air for respiratory simulation and treatment of various respiratory disorders.It is supplied at pressures of 345 kPa, or 50 psi.

Medical air

Clean atmospheric air is pressurized around 380 kPa, or 55 psi and supplied through the medical gas systems to the patients. However, medical air should never be used as oxygen and is widely used in ICU, PICU,and NICU areas.