Flow monitoring proves key as oxygen demand peaks

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic last Spring, many NHS hospitals found themselves struggling for oxygen capacity, as the number of patients with the virus – and in particular those needing to be connected to ventilators or high-flow oxygen equipment – surged. To help healthcare estates and clinicians manage the situation, and ensure a sufficient ongoing oxygen supply, SHJ Medical Gas Specialists (‘SHJ’) developed a new monitoring and alerting system, FLO2, which works in tandem with ultrasonic or integral flowmeters to continuously monitor oxygen flow rate and line pressure. This key data is then accessible in ‘real time’ via SHJ’s customer portal, with alerts sent by email and SMS, enabling rapid decisions to be taken when oxygen flow is approaching maximum capacity. HEJ editor, Jonathan Baillie, reports. 

To find out more about SHJ’s recently launched FLO2 oxygen flow rate and line pressure monitoring system, I spoke to the MD at the specialist in the supply, installation, and maintenance of complete medical gas pipeline systems, Stafford Scopes. He explained the background to the system’s development, how the hardware is installed on a hospital oxygen pipeline system, and the fundamentals of its operation. He began: “During the first and second ‘waves’ of the pandemic last year particularly, there was exceptional – in fact unprecedented – demand for oxygen as coronavirus case numbers rose, and many of the Vacuum Insulated Evaporators (VIEs) delivering oxygen at large hospitals across the UK were approaching their maximum flow capacity. Once they reach this point, oxygen supply could be compromised – an unthinkable scenario for the NHS. Many Trusts were thus keen to know accurately – and this desire continues today – how much oxygen they were using, and to be made aware if they were approaching the pinch point which could affect the supply of oxygen to their patients.” 

NHSE/NHSI oxygen alert issued