Retrospective evaluation and comparison of oxygen supply management with piped supply with cylinder manifold in first wave of COVID-19 against piped supply with liquid medical oxygen system in second wave of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 infection is a major health pandemic all over world started in 2019. Due to respiratory tract involvement, major number of patients required oxygen supplementation. Dedicated COVID hospitals and others required high burden of oxygen all over world. During first wave, oxygen supply management to main hospital building of our institute was by the central piped supply with cylinder manifold whereas during second wave, it was piped supply with 20 KL liquid medical oxygen (LMO) SYSTEM. Aims and Objectives: With this background, we decided to compare these both systems by questionnaire-based interview of healthcare worker and data evaluation. We planned to conduct this study with aim to compare effectiveness and ease of oxygen supply management with both these oxygen supply systems. Materials and Methods: We took questionnaire-based interviews of oxygen store people, intensive care unit, and ward in charge sisters and doctors and manpower working at oxygen supply systems. Results: Both systems of oxygen supply provided uninterrupted supply of oxygen during COVID outbreak with statistically significant less stress level of healthcare workers, good pressure constancy, less cost, and more ease of operability of LMO system. Conclusion: During daily high demand of oxygen, LMO system is superior than piped supply with cylinder manifold system.