Medical gas pipe tracing goes far beyond a diagram. Maintaining medical gas systems and ensuring their proper use can mean the difference in saving a life.
Here are some best practices to follow:
- Keep clear records and signage. Clarity is key to ensuring the proper tracing of medical gases. Maintain current records and signage that translate the medical gas pipe tracing for your staff so they can quickly and efficiently access or shut off the gases as needed. Clearly identify the pipe routing as well as proper flow, pressure levels, and shut-off locations.
- Utilize color coding. Color coding pipes to correspond with the proper gases protects against human error after medical gas pipe tracing is conducted. Uniform color coding should be implemented throughout the facility as piping systems will likely be overseen, maintained, and used by many different people, including doctors or nurses in an emergency. Easily identifiable color coding prevents mistakes.
- Conduct routine inspections. Connections, fittings, piping, and gauges should be regularly checked for signs of damage and to ensure they function properly. Medical gas systems must be relied upon for procedures and emergencies so immediate maintenance is crucial.
- Consistently update staff. Medical staffing teams should be regularly updated on any changes involved in the medical gas system. Healthcare practitioners should be crystal clear on the accessibility and shutoff points of medical gases. They should also not hesitate to alert maintenance personnel to any abnormalities or issues with the gas system.
Patient health and safety are the priorities of medical gas pipe tracing. Pipe tracing ensures clarity and efficiency of the medical gas system so patients can get the care they need.