In hospitals and private clinics, the reliability of medical gas systems is a cornerstone of patient safety and clinical performance. These systems provide continuous access to vital gases such as oxygen, medical air, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and medical vacuum—gases essential for anesthesia, mechanical ventilation, resuscitation, and critical care. Given their role in life-sustaining therapies, even minor disruptions in medical gas infrastructure can have severe consequences.
That is why implementing a structured preventive maintenance strategy is not only a technical necessity but a regulatory obligation. According to ISO 7396-1—the international standard governing piped medical gas systems—facilities are required to ensure proper operation through documented procedures, trained personnel, and frequent system assessments.
Understanding Preventive Maintenance in Context
Preventive maintenance refers to a systematic approach to servicing, inspecting, testing, and verifying the proper function of all components of a medical gas system. This includes gas source equipment (e.g., cylinder manifolds, oxygen generators), pipeline distribution networks, valves, second-stage regulators, outlet points, and alarm systems. The goal is to prevent failures before they occur, ensuring both operational continuity and compliance with safety standards.
Typical preventive maintenance schedules include daily visual inspections, monthly functional tests, and annual in-depth servicing. These activities are designed to identify issues such as valve leaks, pressure drifts, filter saturation, moisture accumulation, corrosion of copper piping, and degradation of alarm sensors.
Consequences of Neglect
Failure to maintain medical gas systems properly can lead to a variety of issues, some of which may not be immediately apparent. Reduced gas pressure, inaccurate flow readings, or unstable regulator output may initially appear as minor inconveniences, but they often signal deeper problems—such as clogged filters, regulator diaphragm fatigue, or microbial contamination in the pipeline.
Moreover, in emergency scenarios such as mass casualty incidents or power outages, a compromised gas supply system could result in equipment downtime, procedural delays, or even patient harm. From a compliance standpoint, lack of maintenance documentation or outdated certification can also lead to penalties during audits or inspections by regulatory bodies.
Strategic Approaches to Maintenance
An effective preventive maintenance strategy involves multiple layers of operational foresight:
Asset Mapping and Risk Assessment
Every component of the gas system should be cataloged and classified by risk level. Critical assets (e.g., oxygen supply manifolds, master alarm panels) must receive priority attention in terms of inspection frequency and documentation.
Manufacturer-Compliant Servicing
Maintenance should follow the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) guidelines. This includes the use of certified spare parts and tools, especially for pressure regulators, control valves, and flow meters.
Training and Certification of Staff
Only qualified biomedical engineers or trained facility technicians should perform interventions. Annual refresher courses help staff stay current with updates to equipment or standards.
Maintenance Log Management
Each action—whether inspection, calibration, or component replacement—should be recorded in a centralized digital or paper log. These logs serve not only as legal proof of compliance but also as a valuable diagnostic record.
Alarm Testing and Simulation
All local and master alarms should be tested routinely under simulated failure conditions. This ensures that notification systems respond appropriately to overpressure, underpressure, or source depletion scenarios.
Integration with Remote Monitoring Tools
At G. Samaras, we recognize that continuous visibility into system performance is key to effective maintenance. That’s why our installations are equipped with Medimote—a proprietary web-based telemonitoring platform developed in-house by G. Samaras. Medimote enables real-time tracking of critical parameters such as gas line pressures, dew point values, alarm signals, and component status. Technical teams gain access to live dashboards, historical trend graphs, and instant alerts—via browser or mobile interface—ensuring that any deviation from expected performance is identified early. More than just monitoring, Medimote facilitates predictive maintenance by helping identify recurring anomalies, performance drift, or early signs of component fatigue. Remote access allows for immediate diagnostic checks, reducing on-site interventions and enabling more efficient scheduling of service visits.
Compliance with International Standards
All maintenance activities performed by G. Samaras adhere to internationally recognized standards, including ISO 7396-1, ISO 9001, and ISO 13485. These certifications ensure that all service actions follow structured quality procedures, rigorous documentation practices, and proper risk assessment. Moreover, maintenance reports are documented in accordance with the expectations of national health authorities and European Pharmacopoeia requirements for medical gas quality and patient safety.
Tailored Service Programs and Operational Flexibility
Understanding that no two healthcare facilities are the same, G. Samaras offers customizable preventive maintenance plans tailored to the size and functional demands of each installation. Service frequency—quarterly, monthly, or weekly—can be adjusted based on the intensity of system usage and the needs of the nursing unit. Services are conducted either on-site or at G. Samaras' technical facilities, depending on customer preference. A complete archive of all service visits and interventions is maintained, allowing for transparent documentation and efficient tracking of system performance over time.
Integrating Field Feedback into R&D
All technical reports generated during maintenance visits are reviewed by the Research and Development department of G. Samaras. This continuous feedback loop enables the identification of recurring issues, performance deviations, or environmental stress factors that may influence product performance. As a result, insights from the field directly contribute to product optimization, innovation in system design, and the long-term reliability of installations.
The Value of Redundancy
Preventive maintenance must also ensure that backup systems—including secondary sources and emergency gas cylinders—are in place, accessible, and fully operational. Redundancy is not a luxury in healthcare—it is an expectation. Systems should be designed and maintained so that even during scheduled maintenance or component failure, there is no interruption to patient care.
A medical gas system is not simply an infrastructure—it's a critical clinical asset. Its reliability depends not only on how well it is built but how consistently it is maintained. Through preventive maintenance, hospitals protect their patients, extend the lifespan of their systems, and ensure uninterrupted operation during routine care and emergencies alike.
At G. Samaras, we work alongside healthcare institutions to support the entire lifecycle of their gas systems—from design and installation to long-term service. Because in critical care, reliability is not optional—it’s essen