“ The oxygen in hospitals is delivered to hospital wards by pipes , which are maintained at a given pressure ,” explains Professor Tim Higenbottam . “ Hospitals will have their own supply of oxygen as it is often used treatment . But , because demand has been fluctuating and has tremendous peaks at fairly short notice , we have seen some hospitals run out . This was seen in many hospitals in less developed countries , as well as in developed ones at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic . If there is ‘ over ’ use of oxygen in Intensive Care Units ( ICUs ), the pressure falls and is no longer about to be distributed around the hospital beds . Hospitals have neededto increase their storage facilities to supply all the COVID-19 pneumonia patients . If more is being used due to the increased demand for respiratory patients there is a risk that oxygen cannot be distributed around the hospital due to the pressure falling .”
62 March 2022