Facility Preparedness for Biological Emergencies: Lessons from AUBMC's Oxygen System Overhaul

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Engineering
• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Biological emergencies, such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, reveal critical vulnerabilities in healthcare infrastructure.
• Hospital oxygen delivery systems are often not designed for extreme demand, leading to failures.
• The American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) faced significant oxygen supply challenges during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the challenges encountered with hospital oxygen delivery systems during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at AUBMC.
• To present the innovative, engineering-based solutions developed and implemented by the Emergency Engineering Response Team (EERT).
• To provide recommendations for enhancing healthcare facility preparedness for future biological emergencies.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of an Emergency Engineering Response Team (EERT) for rapid problem-solving.
• Implementation of engineering-driven strategies to address oxygen demand, pipeline issues, and system depressurization.
• Documentation of challenges and solutions for future reference and improvement.

Main Results:

• The AUBMC experienced unprecedented oxygen demand, leading to pipeline over-frosting and system depressurization.
• The EERT successfully developed and implemented engineering solutions to maintain critical oxygen supply.
• The interventions helped mitigate disruptions in patient care related to oxygen delivery.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare facilities require robust and adaptable oxygen delivery systems to withstand biological emergencies.
• Proactive engineering interventions and dedicated response teams are crucial for managing extreme demands.
• Strengthening preparedness through engineering solutions can significantly improve resilience in future health crises.