Hospital Oxygen Supply Overwhelmed Due to COVID-19: When Demand Exceeds Supply

BACKGROUND: During the first wave of COVID-19, we experienced problems with our hospital oxygen supply system. This study aimed to analyze factors that stressed this system and rethink the design criteria of the gas pipeline system considering the varying oxygen demand.

METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to describe problems that occurred at different stages in the oxygen supply system at our hospital due to increases in oxygen use in general, and the creation of an intermediate respiratory care unit (IRCU) and use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in particular. Herein, the characteristics and design criteria of the medical gas pipeline system are analyzed, and the steps taken to avoid future problems are outlined.

RESULTS: Increases in oxygen use were observed at times of maximum occupancy, and these created vulnerabilities in the oxygen supply due to insufficient capacity in terms of cryogenic tanks, evaporators, and the piping network. The peak consumption was 3 times higher than the peak in the preceding 4 years. The use of HFNC therapy aggravated the problem; IRCU use accounting for as much as two-fifths of the total across the hospital. Steps taken subsequently prevented the recurrence of vulnerabilities.

CONCLUSIONS: The design criteria for storage and distribution networks of medical gases in hospitals need to be revised considering new parameters for their implementation and the use of HFNC therapy in an IRCU. In particular, the cryogenic tanks, evaporators, and piping network for hospital wards are critical.