Safety Indexed Connector Systems (Overview) | ASSS vs PISS vs DISS

Summary

This video explains the importance of safety index connector systems in medical gas delivery, focusing on preventing the risk of administering the wrong gas to patients. It introduces three key systems: the American Standard Safety System (ASSS) for high-pressure gas cylinders, the Pin Index Safety System (PISS) for smaller cylinders, and the Diameter Index Safety System (DISS) for low-pressure connections. Each system features unique mechanisms, such as special threading or pin alignment, to prevent misconnections. The video aims to educate respiratory therapists on these systems and emphasizes the importance of verifying gas labels before use.

Takeaways

• 😀 Safety indexed connector systems are essential for preventing the wrong gas from being administered to patients.
• 😀 Medical gases are stored at high pressures, and safety systems ensure gas pressure is safely reduced before use.
• 😀 The risk of administering the wrong gas is one of the biggest safety concerns in respiratory care.
• 😀 The American Standard Safety System (ASS) is used for high-pressure connections with large gas cylinders (sizes F, H, K).
• 😀 The Pin Index Safety System (PISS) is used for smaller gas cylinders (sizes AA through E), utilizing a pin and yoke system to ensure correct gas delivery.
• 😀 The Diameter Index Safety System (DISS) is used for low-pressure gas delivery systems, such as flow meters and ventilators.
• 😀 The ASS and PISS systems are designed for high-pressure gas connections, while the DISS system is used for low-pressure sources.
• 😀 The ASS uses unique threading for large cylinders to prevent misconnections, ensuring the correct gas is delivered.
• 😀 The PISS system uses a yoke connection with different pin configurations for various gases to prevent incorrect gas delivery.
• 😀 The DISS system employs external threading and diameter differences to prevent connections with incompatible equipment.
• 😀 Each of the three safety systems aims to eliminate human error and ensure gas is delivered safely to the patient.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of safety indexed connector systems in medical gas delivery?

The primary purpose of safety indexed connector systems is to prevent misconnections in medical gas delivery, ensuring that the correct gas is administered to the right patient, reducing the risk of harm.

Why is it important to regulate the pressure of medical gases before they are administered to patients?

Medical gases are stored at extremely high pressures. These pressures must be reduced to safe and workable levels before being administered to patients to avoid potential harm or injury.

What is one of the biggest risks associated with medical gas therapy?

One of the biggest risks is the possibility of administering the wrong gas to a patient, which could lead to serious injury or complications.

What is the function of the American Standard Safety System (ASSS)?

The American Standard Safety System (ASSS) is used to create high-pressure connections for large gas cylinders, typically sizes F, H, and K, using unique threading and sizes to prevent misconnections.

How does the Pin Index Safety System (PISS) work?

The Pin Index Safety System (PISS) is a variation of ASSS, used for small gas cylinders (sizes E and under). It uses a yoke and pin alignment system where each gas type has a different pin position, ensuring the correct gas is delivered.

What distinguishes the Diameter Index Safety System (DISS) from ASSS and PISS?

The DISS is used for low-pressure gas delivery systems, unlike ASSS and PISS, which are designed for high-pressure systems. It uses unique external threading to prevent misconnections in equipment like flow meters and ventilators.

What types of gas delivery sources are covered by the DISS?

The DISS is used for low-pressure gas delivery sources, such as flow meters, ventilators, and the outlets of pressure-reducing valves connected to cylinders, typically at pressures under 200 psi.

Why is it essential to check the cylinder or outlet label before administering medical gas?

It is essential to check the cylinder or outlet label to confirm the correct gas is being administered to the patient, reducing the risk of potentially dangerous errors.

What are some examples of high-pressure gas cylinders that require the ASSS?

High-pressure gas cylinders that require the ASSS include large cylinders such as sizes F, H, and K.

How does the use of unique threading in the DISS prevent misconnections?

The DISS uses unique external threading that makes it difficult for incompatible connections to be made, ensuring the right gas is delivered and preventing errors.