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What is the Difference Between Medical Air and Oxygen?

August 8, 2020 by Laurie Gill

Oxygen and Medical Air

There are several distinct differences between medical air and oxygen for patient use. Without getting too technical, a brief explanation of both is below:

Medical Air:

Medical air differs from oxygen and ordinary air. It is an ultra-clean, dry, purified, colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas. Its main components are nitrogen, oxygen and argon. It also has trace elements of other inert gases and water vapor. If the air is properly cleaned and processed it can be suitable for a human to breathe. 

Hospitals use medical air for dozens of patient treatments including ventilators and incubators. It is also used during anesthesia. Medical facilities could buy and use their medical air from a cylinder. However, in large quantities, this is expensive and inefficient. 

Medical air is one of the few gases that a facility can create on-site. Medical air compressors, known in the industry as source equipment, create this specialized air. This equipment contains specific, state-of-the-art components that compress, process and produce clean, dry, medical air. 

High-quality compressed air filtration systems are essential to prevent the risk of medical air contamination. Contaminated air could lead to patient infections, illness and even death. The medical air and air distribution system must be carefully installed and maintained. 24/7 monitoring and regular testing procedures are necessary.

The United States Pharmacopoeia considers medical air to be a manufactured drug. Medical air is labeled using the colors black on yellow in the medical industry.

Oxygen:

Oxygen is an individual gaseous component that exists as a part of ordinary air. Most oxygen is delivered to a medical facility as a bulk liquid and is stored in a large tank on the hospital site. To make a long story short, liquid oxygen is drawn off as needed, processed and turned into a gas. A controlled manifold regulates the flow of the gas before it enters the hospital pipework. It is then distributed throughout the hospital into specific areas for use. 

Combining pure oxygen with other gases creates oxygen blends suitable for patient use. When mixed, oxygen can be used in countless patient treatments and surgery. However, oxygen can be dangerous if administered improperly and should be handled with care. 

The United States Pharmacopoeia considers oxygen to be a manufactured gas. It may also be labeled a drug depending on its mixture and the patient application. Oxygen is flammable. Oxygen is labeled using the colors white on green in the medical industry.

Both gases serve very different purposes in a medical setting. They must be labeled carefully. A mix-up when dispensing to a patient could be serious. Medical air and oxygen are often combined depending upon patient treatments. They are both life support gases and are highly regulated. Both equipment systems are monitored by alarms at the point of supply. Both gases are tested at specific intervals by third party, certified testing agencies.

If you have any source equipment questions or issues, please contact us. We’ll be happy to help! Here at airandvac.com we manufacture our medical air and vacuum source equipment packages with care. We also service, repair and maintain medical air and medical vacuum systems. Take a better look at us on our web site at www.airandvac.com.

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VIBRATION ISOLATION

Proper vibration prevention is important to equipment efficiency, function and life expectancy. Not all vibration isolators are created equal and choosing the right ones for your equipment is instrumental.

Isolators are designed to create superior performance stability by absorbing vibrations and shock and by distributing the equipment load evenly. This prevents rocking, limits impact shock transmission and blocks sensitive components from low frequency shock and also high frequency vibrations present in the floor.

We use only the finest grade isolators chosen for your specific application, equipment load handling requirements and any NFPA99 or other regulations governing the equipment chosen for your facility.

Click on any link below to open a detailed product specification pdf:

Vibration isolator300

  • Neoprene Cork Pads
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  • Spring Mount Series Pads with California pre-approved Seismic Protection (OPA-0070)
 

Our Technical Department can help you choose which isolators are best suited for your application.
Feel free to contact us or call us at 800-743-8280.

Medical Equipment Leasing & Finance

Leasing medical equipment makes perfect business sense. Leasing can provide the ability to purchase or replace new equipment, upgrade outdated equipment, add needed accessories, stay technologically advanced, streamline operations or grow your business without sacrificing cash reserves. Lease programs are tailor made and are designed specifically around your needs and business application.

Take advantage of these equipment leasing features and benefits:

  • Conserve your capitol for other needed expenditures
  • Conserve credit lines – a lease acts as an alternative credit line
  • Allows for more efficient cash flow and cash reserves
  • Saves money – a lease is paid for with before tax dollars
  • Tax advantages – your lease may be a 100% tax-deductible operation expense
  • Section 179 tax advantages may apply
  • Leasing experts are available to guide you

*consult with your tax advisor for tax deductions, advantages and benefits.

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