Private hospitals’ group warns vs. rusty oxygen cylinders

A private hospitals' group over the weekend sought an immediate stop to hospitals' use of rusty oxygen tanks, citing the health risks such equipment may pose to patients.

 

Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines president Dr. Rustico Jimenez said the rust in the metal may get worse when the tank is exposed to oxygen, GMA Cebu's Lou-Anne Mae Rondina reported.

 

Jimenez cited a study by the US Department of Veterans Affairs suggesting the rust may have something to do with the patients' difficulties in breathing after using rusty oxygen tanks.

 

"(A)fter a while, one or two days, they (patients) have difficulty breathing. Now we know the explanation," he said at a press conference in Cebu City.

 

Dr. Bu Castro, a medico-legal expert, cited cases of such symptoms due to "unregulated ... oxygen tanks" in some private hospitals.

 

The PHAP noted many hospitals in Cebu still use cylindrical oxygen tanks for patients.

 

It said the US Department of Veterans Affairs recommended a new system of oxygen delivery—an oxygen generator not made of metal.

 

While the equipment is more expensive than the cylindrical tank, it can ensure clean and safe oxygen for patients.

 

"We expect that the (Food and Drug Administration) will give us all hospitals this administrative order anytime. We do not know when the exact implementing dates (will be because) as I have said earlier, not all hospitals are capable of buying this machine," Jimenez said. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News