Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ11: Safety of the use of oxygen cylinders
Following is a question by the Hon Michael Mak and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (February 11):
Question:
On December 8 last year, when a worker was replacing the piping of an oxygen cylinder installed under an operation bed at the Accident and Emergency ("A&E") Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the oxygen cylinder suddenly exploded, resulting in the suspension of A&E services for about half an hour. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective numbers of oxygen cylinders purchased and consumed by public hospitals last year;
(b) of the respective numbers of incidents of gas leakage and explosion of oxygen cylinders in public hospitals in each of the past three years;
(c) of the departments responsible for the maintenance and storage of oxygen cylinders for use by public hospitals and the safety matters concerned; and
(d) whether the relevant authorities have issued guidelines to the staff concerned on the proper procedure for replacing oxygen cylinders and their piping; if they have, of the details of such guidelines?
Reply:
(a) Public hospitals consume around 80,000 to 100,000 cylinders of compressed gas (medical oxygen) each year.
(b) Apart from the incident at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on December 8, 2003, there was one other minor accident involving compressed gas (medical oxygen) cylinders in public hospitals over the past three years when there was a minor explosion in the Accident and Emergency Department of Princess Margaret Hospital on September 27, 2001.
(c) All oxygen cylinders used in public hospitals are owned by the local vendor and supplied to the Hospital Authority (HA) on a rental basis. As provided in the service contract, it is the responsibility of the local vendor to keep the gas cylinders in proper maintenance. The HA, on the other hand, is responsible for ensuring the instructions provided by the manufacturer / local vendor on the safe operation and storage of the gas cylinders in public hospitals are observed.
(d) The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the HA jointly issued the Medical Gas Operation Manual to all public hospitals in March 2002. In the light of the incident at QEH in December 2003, the HA issued to all public hospitals an update to its Safety Guidelines on the Use and Maintenance of Oxygen Regulators on February 3, 2004. The details of the update are as follows -
Update on the Safety Guidelines for the Use and Maintenance of Oxygen Regulator
* Safety Precautions
1. Users should switch off the valve of the oxygen cylinder after the patient has been transferred to the ward.
2. The oxygen regulator should not be manipulated in the lift unless it is safe and really necessary.
3. The cylinder valve should be turned off when not in use to avoid the regulator being left on the open cylinder for a prolonged period.
4. Oil or grease should not be allowed to come into contact with the regulator or cylinder.
5. After the use of the regulator, always ensure that all components are clean.
* Routine Checking and Maintenance
1. Users should have regular visual check on the condition of the regulator and delivery tubing to ensure no leakage or damage and free from dust or other contaminants. If abnormal condition is suspected, the maintenance party or the supplier/manufacturer should be contacted for examination.
2. Worn out delivery tubings must be replaced and must not be wrapped by adhesive tape on which the adhesive material is a source of grease.
3. Hospitals should ensure the regular maintenance of the regulator by the appropriate maintenance party.
4. The regulator is not designed for field disassembly. Any regulator requiring service should be returned to the supplier/manufacturer or the maintenance party for inspection.
Ends/Wednesday, February 11, 2004
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