Emergency Procedures Flashcards

A fire occurs in the medical gas storage room. Which action should the RMGA take regarding cylinder valves?

Answer: Evacuate the area and allow the fire department to manage the cylinders

Cylinders in a fire are a job for the fire department; the RMGA should evacuate personnel and ensure the fire department is informed of the hazardous materials present.

During an emergency shutdown drill, the RMGA closes a zone valve serving the operating rooms. How should clinical staff be notified before this action in a real emergency?

Answer: Notification must be given to all affected clinical staff prior to interrupting supply

NFPA 99 and JCAHO standards require notifying all affected clinical areas before any planned interruption to medical gas supply.

The RMGA discovers that a medical gas outlet in an OR has been cross-connected, supplying nitrogen instead of oxygen. What is the immediate action?

Answer: Immediately shut down the affected outlet, notify clinical staff, and initiate a full verification before restoring service

A cross-connection is a life-threatening error requiring immediate shutdown, clinical notification, and complete system verification before the outlet is returned to service.

A liquid oxygen bulk system experiences a pressure relief valve lift during unusually high demand. What does this event signify?

Answer: System pressure exceeded the relief valve set point, requiring investigation of demand or regulator function

A relief valve lift indicates pressure exceeded the set point, which may signal excessive demand, a malfunctioning vaporizer, or a regulator issue that must be investigated.

When a medical gas pipeline is contaminated with particulate matter after a construction repair, what must occur before returning the line to service?

Answer: The line must be purged, tested for purity, and verified per NFPA 99 before clinical use

NFPA 99 requires purging, purity testing, and verification procedures before a repaired or contaminated line is returned to patient care service.

A carbon dioxide alarm activates in the endoscopy suite indicating low CO2 pressure. Which clinical procedure is most immediately impacted?

Answer: Laparoscopic and endoscopic insufflation procedures

Carbon dioxide is used for insufflation during endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures; low CO2 pressure directly impacts the ability to perform these procedures safely.

An RMGA is notified that a patient suffered harm potentially related to a medical gas error. What regulatory body notification may be required in addition to internal reporting?

Answer: The FDA MedWatch program and applicable state health department

Medical gas errors resulting in patient harm may require FDA MedWatch adverse event reporting and notification to the state health department, in addition to internal incident reporting.