Priority for optimum use of oxygen

Hospitals do audit, use devices for delivering appropriate amounts to patients

Facing high demand, many hospitals have chalked out strategies for the optimal use of oxygen. From doing their own oxygen audits to turning to devices for delivering appropriate amounts to patients, a number of hospitals are leaving no stone unturned to prevent wastage. As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Tamil Nadu, the demand has been soaring over the past several weeks. Not wanting to take any chance — considering the uncertainty over the supply of the now-scarce resource — hospitals have taken measures for judicious use of oxygen. According to a section of government doctors, one of the biggest problems was patient attenders increasing the flow of oxygen by means of the flow meters attached to the central supply. “They change the flow from 10 to 15 litres or 20 to 30 litres. Owing to the high case load and less manpower, monitoring each and every aspect is difficult. This results in wastage,” a senior doctor said.