Drug Information |
FDA Public Health Advisory: Medical Gas Mix-Ups Can Cause Death and Serious Injury[PDF version of this document] Gases for medical use are prescription drugs that must be carefully regulated and handled. Adaptors should never be used and fittings never changed on medical gas containers. If a connection doesn't fit, it isn't supposed to fit. Contact the supplier immediately. Store medical grade products separately from industrial grade products in well-defined areas. Educate and train personnel who are directly responsible for handling medical gas to:
Skilled and knowledgeable personnel should always check the container and connection prior to introducing gas into the system. Patients have been injured - and some have died - because of medical gas mix-ups. This usually occurs when the wrong gas is forcibly connected to the oxygen supply system. Please promote the importance of properly handling medical gases.
Phone - (800) FDA-1088 Mail US Food and Drug Administration For more information, call 1-888-INFO-FDA or go to www.fda.gov/cder/dmpq/gases.htm Back to Top Medical Gas Mix-ups FDA/Center for Drug Evaluation and Research |