asked the Minister for Health if he will take appropriate action to ensure that gases (and/or certain drugs) used in the administration of anæsthetics will be supplied in cylinders (and/or containers) specifically marked and coloured to indicate the nature of their contents; and if he will consider the advisability of setting up a committee to investigate and report on this matter with a view to the prevention of fatalities during the administration of anæsthetics.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anæsthetic Gas Containers.
Gases used in the administration of anæthetics are supplied in cylinders specifically marked and coloured to indicate the nature of the contents. Charts indicating the distinctive colourings are available from the manufacturers.
In view of the special responsibility of the medical profession to the public, I consider that the question of the establishment of a committee to investigate this matter, in so far as it affects hospitals other than local authority institutions, is one for determination by the profession. I have a responsibility for hospitals operated by local authorities and I propose to issue a circular to local authorities drawing their attention to the dangers attendant upon the administration of gases as anæsthetics and advising them as to certain special precautions to be taken to obviate such dangers. It is proposed to indicate in this circular the desirability of providing, where possible, non-interchangeable couplings in anæsthetic apparatus or where this is not possible to replace the apparatus, so as to avoid the possibility of error. I sincerely hope that similar measures will be taken by the authorities of the voluntary hospitals.
Will the Minister consider introducing legislation to deal with gross carelessness in the use of these gases?
I think, Deputy, that there is no necessity to introduce legislation to deal with cases where gross carelessness is proved.
Has the Minister made any representation in this matter to the manufacturers of the gas that there might be more distinctive markings in future of the cylinders?
As I pointed out in my reply, the markings are distinctive at the moment. The misfortune is that, due to use, the colour becomes defaced and in certain cases it is possible to confuse the cylinders. I think that probably the attempt we are making here to see that there are non-interchangeable couplings is possibly one of the most effective methods which we could adopt. Apart from the system adopted by the manufacturers at the moment, we would like to introduce this additional precaution into our local authority hospitals. Of course, there can be no adequate precaution against carelessness in these matters.
If the Minister admits that the constant use of these cylinders entails the wearing away of the distinctive marks, does he not consider it necessary to make representation to the manufacturers that when the cylinders go back for refilling they should also be repainted?
I could take that matter up with the manufacturers to see if they will adopt the suggestion.