Mains oxygen failure
Complete failure of wall or pendant oxygen supply. Failure may be theatre-specific, zone-specific or hospital-wide.
Theatre coordinator or equivalent should:
Ensure no new case is started unless clinical priority absolutely requires it.
Ascertain the extent of the failure throughout the hospital.
Ascertain the reserve supplies of oxygen.
Evaluate implications for ongoing supply.
Ensure any other relevant emergency plans are initiated.
Coordinate delivery of further oxygen cylinders in good time.
Ensure individual theatres are kept informed.
% full (pressure) — by cylinder size: C / D / E / F / G / J
100% (137 bar): 170 L / 340 L / 680 L / 1360 L / 3400 L / 6800 L
50% (69 bar): 85 L / 170 L / 340 L / 680 L / 1700 L / 3400 L
25% (34 bar): 43 L / 85 L / 170 L / 340 L / 850 L / 1700 L
Recovery area must be appropriately supplied with cylinder oxygen if also affected.
Identify patients who do not require supplemental oxygen.
Disconnect equipment from failed wall/pendant outlets.
When re-established, output may not initially be 100% oxygen.
Do not re-use outlet until gas composition and quality satisfactorily confirmed by a competent authority.