Oxygen concentrators: a primary oxygen supply source.

PURPOSE Efforts to harmonize the standards of the CSA and the ISO, as they relate to compressed medical gas supply and piping, prompted us to review ten years experience with oxygen concentrators (OCs) in Canada used as a primary hospital oxygen supply. The goals of this study were; 1) To document the number of Canadian OC Hospital sites, 2) to define what impact these units have had on medical practice and patient care, and 3) to explore trends in oxygen costing and utilization at the study sites. METHODS Following a four part mail survey and telephone follow up, site surveys were conducted for all hospitals utilizing an OC. Installation and service records, operating costs, amortization detail, leasing records as well as patient safety were all detailed. RESULTS Forty eight of 52 Canadian hospitals utilizing an OC participated. Clinical activity at the surveyed sites of 1996 included 30,642 surgical operations, 9,415 intensive care bed days and 364,529 emergency room visits. The cumulative survey represents 1,026,819 hr of OC operation. During a 24 hr day, OCs operate 55 +/- 3% of the time. Financial analysis was validated at 43 of the 48 hospital sites. During the study the unit cost of oxygen was reduced by 62% (P <.0001). An annual increase in oxygen consumption of 11.5 +/- 2% was documented (P <.0001). No patient care critical incidents related to OCs were reported. CONCLUSION An OC installation which is CAN/CSA Z305.6-M92 compliant provides a safe, reliable, cost efficient primary hospital source of oxygen.