Introduction
As local leaders responsible for medicines supplies and use in hospitals, including medical gases, NHS Chief Pharmacists should keep themselves up to date with the current advice on NHS England and NHS Improvement’s website. Further information can be found within FutureNHS site.
In addition, a range of answers to common questions have been developed based on experiences during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic escalation and requests made for information to UK Regional Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Control leads. These are presented in the SPS pages below as well as in the attached word file.
Answers to questions
Answers to questions we’ve been asked are grouped by theme below.
Using Medical Gases Appropriately
Must read background material and guidance to support good medical gas use for hospital Chief Pharmacists and their teams
Pharmacy responsibilities and Medical Gases, Oxygen and the COVID-19 Pandemic
The pharmacy remit in relation to medical gases is covered, as well as the role in managing cylinder stock
Medical Gas Committees: their role, responsibilities, and membership
Describes why Medical Gas Committees are required, suggested membership and ToR, and their role during the pandemic
Medical Gas Pipeline Systems and Oxygen Supply Resilience
Using data, following guidance, and checking systems and flow rates for Medical Gas Pipelines and Oxygen Supply Resilience
Using different Gas Delivery Devices and implications
Clinical use of NIVs and HFNO and implications on pipeline capacity; the use of W-sized cylinders
Governance of Medical Gas Provision: key publications
Signposts to key publications from the Department of Health and Health Facilities Scotland