Transporting Pt. on O2

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I am currently working as a tech in an emergency dept. One of my duties is to transport patients to the med-surg units on admission. I have noticed that the oxygen tank thank we have are becoming damaged and I feel that they may be unsafe for use.

We currently have hard plastic refillable O2 tanks that we hang on the stretcher during transport. They tie on where ever we can fit them and when getting on elevator or going through doors they bang on the walls.

So, how does your facility transport pt's with O2? It is my hope to be able to suggest a new way for our facility to transport without just suggesting replacing the tanks we have.

Thanks,

stAx

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Well I have never really transported within a hospital but we always strap the oxygen to the strechter, usually between the patients legs, sometimes wrapped with extra sheets for pt. comfort (with the "fire end" facing outward). O2 tanks banging against anything sounds dangerous to me!

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Specializes in ED/trauma.

Our gurneys have a spot for them on the bottom - above the wheels. When we get stuck with beds without them, we just lay the tank on the bed - between the pt & the rail. Ours are the big metal tanks.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Our hospital has said that the big metal cylinder tanks are dangerous. If you drop one it can become an airborne missile.

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we either slip them under the trolley if the patient is coming from the emergency dept, hook them on the back of the wheelchair, or lie them on the bed.

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Our hospital has said that the big metal cylinder tanks are dangerous. If you drop one it can become an airborne missile.

The danger is in the regulator being damaged. This type of catastrophic failure is rare but not unheard of. Plastic? I wonder if your tanks are not fiberglass, when those go kaboom it is rather impressive. Those tanks can take a TON of punishment before they a rendered unsafe, the tank...not the regulator.

I have noticed in some facilities that they are now purchasing plastic regulator housings that protect the delicates from harm.

Your facility should have a safety officer, usually the head of security, I would consult them OR consult the company supplying the tanks. I am assuming you are not refilling the tanks yourselves...

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Your plastic tank sounds like a refillable liquid O2 tank. The plastic housing can get banged up, but it is there to protect the metal tank inside.

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Specializes in CVICU & ER.

Ours just attach to the bed and have a steel case that the tank fits in.

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