{
  "abstract": "Background and Importance Medical gases such as oxygen are classified as therapeutic products and follow current European or national guidelines and standards.They are routinely used in hospitals therefore cylinders are stored in various clinical departments. Safety rules must be followed from the receipt of cylinders to the administration to patients. Proper storage conditions and an efficient medical gas cylinder (MGC) distribution system are essential to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals and patients, the quality of care, and to prevent theft.Aim and Objectives The purpose of the audit was to collect data on MCG (oxygen and EMONO) storage, on transport by staff members and healthcare professionals training regarding MGC.Material and Methods Data collection was carried out by completing a grid with 23 questions, created by two pharmacists and reviewed by 2 healthcare professionals.76 clinical departments were audited, spread across 3 sites of our hospital, over a period of 2 months. The departments that used the most MGC were prioritised first. Health workers from each department were present during each audit.Results Regarding storage in a secure room, 32% of departments (23/72) stored oxygen cylinders in a secure room and 61% (20/33) for EMONO cylinders.For 44% of departments (32/72) all oxygen cylinders were stored securely (67% (22/33) for EMONO). For 14% of departments (10/72) no oxygen cylinders were attached (18% (6/33) for EMONO).For only 19% of departments (13/68), the type of gas was verified by reading the MGC label before storing them. For 43% of departments (29/68), the general condition of MGC was checked.For all departments, medical gas cylinders were transported using an appropriate transport trolley to and from the pharmacy. Among the professionals transporting medical gas cylinders, no one had any training on medical gas safety.Conclusion and Relevance Following this audit, storage equipment was purchased to securely stored MGC. To improve the quality and safety of care, it is necessary to inform and train professionals in best practices and safety rules regarding medical gases. Specially before using or storing the cylinders, professionals must check the good condition of the cylinders and identify MCG by reading the cylinder label.Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Pharmacy, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "A Dupuis"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Public Health Department, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "L Ahmad-Ali"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Pharmacy, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "O Berho"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Public Health Department, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "X Fouassin"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Public Health Department, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "J Guihenneuc"
    }
  ],
  "title": "5PSQ-018 Optimising patient safety and quality of care: a medical gas cylinder storage audit in a university hospital",
  "uid": "4159ef81-2cf5-5f18-927f-b421ba503826"
}