We have three, for mobile patients at home. Mediline ECO 3000, manufactured by GCE and sold by Air Products in Crewe te. 0800 389 0202.
Graham

If this is the same device (Sequoia Oxymatic) that was offered to us be careful; the input is only rated for 50 psi, not the usual UK spec of 4 bar. We didn't manage to get the distributor to put in writing that this would be OK, so we didn't buy it on the grounds that it would have left us in a dubious position with regard to product liability.

As you say though, it does seem like a good idea - particularly for patients who are out and about.

Hello Steve,

I'm fine thanks mate. Just getting back up to speed after a longer than usual holiday in sunny South Africa.

I am based in Bedford Hospital now. I still get the details of the eastern regional EBME meetings - so I will try to get along to one of them this year.

Darren, I am also interested in the oxygen conserver. Please send me some details. Ta, John.

Hello All

I am out of the office this week but can tell you that the in question is the escort link pneumatic probe oxygen conserver manufactured by TRG specifically for use in the UK, CE marked etc, it is avery robust little and easy to use.
It is marketed as ideal for general hospital and emergency use.
If you phone our helpdesk 08700 420 735, Eileen will provide you with general details, I will get back to those interested with technical info on my return.
The manufacturers have stated they are willing to change design aspects following trial feedback.

Darren

Hi All
I haven't taken the conserving device idea any further yet, encouraging the staff to check the flowmeters more regularly has been our first priority. We have a few conserving units in use but they are predominantly for community use (Mediline ECO 3000) but they aren't cheap. The Escort Conserver (RRP £255) Proact market in its current form (I feel) will have only a limited use within the hospital environment -
Maximum flow of 6 lpm
Different patient tubing to our hospital agreed standard
I can't see how you could connect a humidifier when needed.
Currently they are very expensive (in comparison to standard F/M)

Our Chief Pharmacist, Director of Nursing, Risk Manager, Fire Officer etc are now all involved with helping address this issue.

Regards

Steve

Good Morning All,

Our company, Carnet Medical is currently working in house on the design and manufacture of a group of products that will go a long way to resolve many of these problems.

We would be really keen to talk to any EBME engineers or specialists in this field who may be interested in offering advice on the features and functions that these products should have, in order that we ensure that our next generation products meet all the market requirements.

Please send me a PM and I will pass you contact details onto our MD to arrange a convenient time to meet.

Best Regards

Mac Lambert

Hi Mac

We're happy to meet with you re - the above.

You can contact me (Steve Connew) on -

01206 742754 or steven.connew@essexrivers.nhs.uk

Regards

Steve

What's that, Mac ... you've found a way to stop nurses leaving flowmeters turned on?

Hi All

I thought you might be interested as to where we are now as a result of a lot of effort at all levels to try & reduce our potential O2 wastage & encourage staff to work more safely with all medical gases.

After our original findings there was a lot of activity via the Med Gas Working Party highlighting the issues to ward/department managers & supporting staff through a variety of ways to include emails, meetings, newsletters & training (Med Gas, Fire Safety, H&S etc).

With the raised awareness Trustwide, it was agreed there would be further "unannounced" audits carried out, please find details below -

Jan 3rd/4th 2007 (original audit)

Pipeline O2 Wastage - 102lpm (29 flowmeters) = 146,880 ltrs per day. Equivilent to 319 CD cylinders per day

Medical Gas Cylinders Left Open - 64


Feb 13th 2007

Pipeline O2 Wastage - 59lpm (24 flowmeters) = 84,960 ltrs per day. Equivilent to 185 CD cylinders per day

Medical Gas Cylinders Left Open - 76


May 1st 2007

Pipeline O2 Wastage - 71lpm (22 flowmeters) = 102,240ltrs per day. Equivilent to 222 CD cylinders per day

Medical Gas Cylinders Left Open - 55


August 2nd 2007

Pipeline O2 Wastage - 25lpm (12 flowmeters) = 36,000ltrs per day. Equivilent to 78 CD cylinders per day

Medical Gas Cylinders Left Open - 42

I think you will agree we have come a long way in just 8 months, now we need to maintain the awareness & good working practices. Clearly, in "the real world" there will always be some wastage but I think this exercise is demonstrating that with the right support & willingness to improve we can reduce that figure.

Regards

Steve