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. 2020 Dec 23;8(4):858-862.
doi: 10.9745/GHSP-D-20-00224. Print 2020 Dec 23.

Improving Hospital Oxygen Systems for COVID-19 in Low-Resource Settings: Lessons From the Field

Hamish R Graham  1   2 , Sheillah M Bagayana  3   4 , Ayobami A Bakare  5   6 , Bernard O Olayo  7 , Stefan S Peterson  8   9   10   11 , Trevor Duke  12   13 , Adegoke G Falade  2   6
Affiliations

Improving Hospital Oxygen Systems for COVID-19 in Low-Resource Settings: Lessons From the Field

Hamish R Graham et al. Glob Health Sci Pract. .

Abstract

Oxygen therapy is an essential medicine and core component of effective hospital systems. However, many hospitals in low- and middle-income countries lack reliable oxygen access-a deficiency highlighted and exacerbated by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Oxygen access can be challenged by equipment that is low quality and poorly maintained, lack of clinical and technical training and protocols, and deficiencies in local infrastructure and policy environment. We share learnings from 2 decades of oxygen systems work with hospitals in Africa and the Asia-Pacific regions, highlighting practical actions that hospitals can take to immediately expand oxygen access. These include strategies to: (1) improve pulse oximetry and oxygen use, (2) support biomedical engineers to optimize existing oxygen supplies, and (3) expand on existing oxygen systems with robust equipment and smart design. We make all our resources freely available for use and local adaptation.

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Figures

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Nurse in Nigeria performing pulse oximetry on an infant, demonstrating oxygen saturation level to parents. © 2017 Oxygen for Life Initiative
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Technicians in Nigeria learning to perform preventive maintenance and repair an oxygen concentrator. © 2017 Oxygen for Life Initiative
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Technician, doctor, and nurse in Ondo state, Nigeria, with new oxygen installation including oxygen concentrator with power stabilizer, oximeter, flowmeter stand, distribution tubing, oxygen analyzer, and user guides. © 2016 Oxygen for Life Initiative
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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