Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Oxygen is a life-saving medicine with no substitution, making distribution systems critical in healthcare. Hospitals must meet high standards to ensure continuous supply; however, manual management slows operations and increases error risk. Digitalization of processes offers an opportunity to improve workflows. This study evaluated the operational and healthcare resource impact of implementing a digital medical gas cylinder management platform in a hospital setting.
METHODS: A before-after study was conducted in an Italian 550-bed acute-care facility, performing 22,000 surgeries annually. A digital web-based platform that streamlines hospital gas cylinder management, and enables real-time online inventory monitoring, was implemented. A structured evaluation process was undertaken, including workflow mapping, gas‑related task reassignment, and staff training across pharmacy, technical services, and clinical wards. Operational and resource outcomes were assessed through interviews of healthcare professionals using a structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions and fixed response options.
RESULTS: Participants included pharmacy leadership (n=2), technical services (n=1), and nursing staff (n=4). Quantitative assessment demonstrated a 50% and 45% reduction in intra-hospital cylinder distribution and emergency delivery times, respectively. Pharmacy and technical teams rated the platform’s impact on resource allocation as 5/5, citing improved supply, inventory, and distribution efficiency. Confidence in supply management improved (4.3/5), and access to cylinder ID, expiry date, and location data enhanced drug‑conformity assurance (4/5). Tracking of filling status and location strengthened emergency planning (4.4/5). Team collaboration improved (4/5), with pharmacy rating it 5/5, supported by real‑time ward‑level stock visibility.
CONCLUSIONS: The digital medical gas cylinder management platform demonstrated meaningful improvements in workflow efficiency, time savings, and resource utilization in a real‑world hospital setting and was adopted as a permanent solution. As a scalable and tailorable digital infrastructure solution, it has the potential to reduce labour, optimize stock levels, and strengthen supply continuity, resulting in significant cost savings. Wider integration may further enhance health economic value.