{
  "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 various clinical departments in hospitals and healthcare personnel must know how to handle and administer gases safely.Understanding their properties and potential hazards is essential to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals and patients, and the quality of care.Aim and Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess caregivers’ knowledge of medical gases and behaviours when administering them to patients, in order to prioritise future training programs to be implemented in our hospital.Material and Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out in a French university hospital from March, 3 rd to May 31st, 2025. The 10-question survey was designed by two pharmacists and reviewed by 2 caregivers, and was given to healthcare professionals in paper format to complete anonymously. This questionnaire was intended for healthcare professionals administering medical gases; physicians were excluded.Results A total of 546 participants took part in the survey in 57 departments of a University hospital in France, including 299 (54.6%) state-registered nurses and 182 (33.3%) nursing assistants. 87.9% of participants (480/546) stated that oxygen is a medication. Before administration, 60.8% of participants reported always verifying the type of gas by reading the label, and 34.4% by checking the colour of the cylinder. However, 30.9% reported always or often taking the gas cylinder without reading the label. 24.7% of participants reported always informing the patient about the safety measures to be followed when inhaling medical gases. 49.8% of professionals (272/546) reported having received training in the handling and use of medical gases.Conclusion and Relevance These findings on the knowledge and practices of health professionals regarding medical gases helped identify obstacles and drivers, and underscore the need to offer appropriate training in line with best practices and to ensure the quality of care related to medical gas administration. In addition, measures must be taken to improve patient information with traceability of this information in patient records.Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Pharmacy, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "A Dupuis"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Pharmacy, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "O Berho"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Public Health Department, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "F Xavier"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "CHU De Poitiers, Public Health Department, Poitiers, France"
      ],
      "name": "J Guihenneuc"
    }
  ],
  "title": "5PSQ-029 Medical gases in hospital setting: a questionnaire-based study to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge and behaviours",
  "uid": "615d9872-8731-549e-9c9c-1b9b9c7d0cb7"
}