What should hospitals do to prepare for a medical gas shortage?

Maintaining an inventory management system and contingency plans is critical for hospitals to effectively prepare for a medical gas shortage. This approach allows healthcare facilities to keep precise track of gas supplies, usage rates, and reorder points, which can help avoid shortages. By having a robust inventory management system in place, hospitals can anticipate demand and manage their resources efficiently. Implementing contingency plans also ensures that there are strategies ready to be acted upon in the event of a shortage, minimizing disruptions to patient care.

In contrast, while eliminating non-essential gas use may seem like a reasonable action, it might not be sufficient on its own to address potential shortages in a systematic manner. Relying solely on patient requests for gas usage can lead to inconsistent usage patterns that don't adequately account for clinic needs or emergencies. Additionally, reducing the number of gas storage units could potentially limit the hospital's capacity to respond effectively should there be an unexpected increase in demand, thus not providing a proactive approach to managing gas supplies.