Oxygen therapy in a hospital setting

Applying a quantitative fire risk assessment method in hospital settings: Case study

Understanding and mitigating fire risks in healthcare settings are crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals, especially during the current pandemic, which has increased the use of oxygen-supply equipment and potentially raised fire hazards. This case study, conducted in two university hospitals in Semnan, Iran, examined fire risk factors in healthcare facilities using a developed fire risk assessment method. A total of 28 wards and 74 compartments were assessed. Data collection included topographical structure analysis, building usage evaluation, and process documentation review. The FRAME method, validated in previous studies, was used to calculate fire risk levels for buildings, contents, occupants, and activities. The fire risk assessment revealed varying risk levels across different wards and compartments in the two hospitals. Hospital A exhibited higher fire risk levels compared to Hospital B, with several wards in Hospital A classified as "High" or "Very High" risk. Factors contributing to higher risk levels included building design, occupancy density, and the presence of flammable materials. Occupants in certain wards, particularly those with high occupancy rates and limited evacuation routes, were identified as being at increased risk. Activities such as the storage and handling of flammable materials were also found to contribute to elevated risk levels in specific areas. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing targeted fire safety measures, especially regarding oxygen-supplying equipment, high-density ventilators, and limited escape routes, to mitigate risks effectively in healthcare settings. This comprehensive assessment can guide best practices in fire safety management in hospitals.

Effectiveness of Standardized Protocol for Oxygen Therapy on Improving Nurses' Performance and Patients' Health Outcome

AIMS

assess nurses' knowledge and performance-related safe administration of oxygen (O2) therapy; apply an intervention program for nurses about standardized protocol for oxygen; and evaluate the effectiveness of standardized protocol for oxygen in improving nurses' performance and patients' health outcomes.

DESIGN

a quasi-experimental study was used.

SETTING

the current study was conducted at three hospitals in Sakaka City with totally different medical aid units (ICUs), CCUs, emergency care departments (ED), medical and surgical wards, pediatric care units (PICUs), neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), pediatric emergency care departments (PED) and pediatric inpatient\outpatient departments.

SUBJECTS

a convenience sample of 105 nurses and 105 patients was divided into 55 patients in the control group who received routine care and 50 patients in the study group who received intervention.

FINDINGS

34.3% of studied nurses had poor knowledge pre-intervention compared with 17% post-intervention. Moreover, 33.3% of them had satisfactory knowledge pre-intervention versus 21% post-intervention. Only 5.7% of them had excellent knowledge pre-intervention, compared with 34.4% post-intervention. Concerning the complications of oxygen therapy, only 10.5% did not have complications in the control group versus 62.9% in the study group, 33.3% of the control group had cyanotic lips and fingernails pre-intervention, versus 7.6% in the study group; 10.5% had oxygen toxicity in the control group, versus 7.6% in the study group, with a highly statistically significant difference at p 0.001 for all.

CONCLUSION

the current results of this study concluded that there was improvement in nurses' knowledge and practice related to oxygen therapy post-intervention. Moreover, when the standard protocol for safe oxygen therapy was used in a positive way, it led to better health for patients and fewer problems with oxygen therapy.