In an article in the April 2013 issue of Health Estate Journal, Geoff Dillow, a former head of training at the forerunner to Eastwood Park, the Hospital Engineering Centre, addressed the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in the operation and management of medical gas pipeline systems (MGPS).
In this second article, he introduces the prime tool in the day-to-day management of medical gas pipeline systems – the MGPS Permit to Work System.
Many of you will be familiar with Permit to Work Systems used in other disciplines, e.g. entry into confined spaces, and working with high voltage systems. Safety rules and procedures are necessary for a medical gas pipeline system, to ensure that its integrity and performance are maintained. Medical gas pipeline systems are no exception to the permit scene, but it is perhaps worthwhile considering the importance of a MGPS Permit via comparison with others. The major difference is exactly who the permit protects: high voltage and confined space permits are designed to protect those (usually low numbers) working on the system or in the confined space, whereas a MGPS Permit is designed to protect patients served by it, of which there could be a large number simultaneously seriously affected by, for example, a cross-connection of oxygen and nitrous oxide systems.
Signatures required
Log in or register FREE to read the rest
This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text.
If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
