March 13, 2024
Overview:
Oxygen therapy is an important medical treatment. Medical oxygen can be stored in liquid oxygen (LMO) tanks, LMO tankers, and gas cylinders, while oxygen concentrators and pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants are commonly used to produce oxygen on-site.
Due to concerns about the high costs of running PSA plants, including electricity and diesel fuel expenses, many oxygen therapy stakeholders assume that PSA plants are expensive.
A co-authored One Health Trust study analyzed the costs of different oxygen sources used in a healthcare facility in India, including liquid medical oxygen (LMO) tanks, PSA plants, oxygen concentrators, and gas cylinders. These sources have varying setup and operational costs, especially in low-resource settings, where making the best use of these assets is critical.
The question:
The researchers wanted to understand and compare the costs of running PSA plants to the costs of buying oxygen from other sources, including LMO tanks and refilled cylinders. Many people believe PSA plants are expensive due to high electricity and fuel costs, but there was no solid evidence to support this belief.
The findings:
PSA plants can be the most affordable option when running on electricity and at full capacity. However, they become more expensive when using diesel generators. Additionally, refilling cylinders at a healthcare facility using PSA plants is cheaper than relying on third-party vendors for refilling. Overall, PSA plants are cost-effective and reduce dependence on outside vendors, making them a good option for healthcare facilities if used efficiently.
Read the study published in the Indian Journal of Anaesthesia here.
