Admn to hospitals: Ensure judicious use of O2, check wastage

Amritsar, April 21

In view of the shortage of medical oxygen at hospitals, the administration has instructed the hospitals to make judicious use of the gas and check any leakage at usage points. The administration has also asked them to postpone all elective surgeries till next orders.

The industries department has also been asked to inform all oxygen supply vendors to halt supply to industrial units so that it could be made available for treatment of patients on priority. After a meeting with the officials at Government Medical College here on Wednesday, Medical Education and Research additional secretary-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal said amid the second wave of Covid-19 in the nation, supply of medical oxygen is limited as its usage has increased.

He said all efforts would be made to ensure that no there is no wastage of the life saving gas. Aggarwal also asked the college authorities to constitute an Oxygen Audit Committee to monitor the usage and check wastage at the hospital.

Aggarwal said the committee would inspect the wards and check that no leakage of oxygen takes place through the flow meters or pipes. He said the supply lines should be repaired for any leakage and accountability of the concerned staff should be ensured if any leakage is reported. He added that usage of high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) should be made only as per the guidelines of the state government.

The administration has also asked the general public to follow all Covid-19 related guidelines. The officials stated that negligence on part of many who are not wearing mask and following other safety guidelines could result in further aggravation of the situation. — TNS