The Evolution of Medical Oxygen as an Essential Life-Saving Medicine in Modern Healthcare – A Narrative Review
Keywords:
History of oxygen, medical oxygen, evolution of oxygen, essential life saving medicine, oxygenAbstract
Oxygen has become an inevitable life-saving component in modern medicine. Oxygen is supplied to all the areas of the hospital such as emergency departments, Intensive care units, wards, and even Outpatient departments. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the significance of medical oxygen. The history began with the laboratory separation of oxygen in the 18th century by Scheele and Priestley, then continued with the inventions of oxygen delivery devices, storage instruments, oxygen generators, concentrators, and finally the implementation of safety regulations; all these made medical oxygen a vital medicine in modern health care. The contributions of scientists such as Thomas Beddoes, “father of respiratory therapy,” and Haldane, “father of oxygen therapy,” was a great milestone in history. Their contribution has helped to develop oxygen generation, storage, supply, and administration. Such historical turning points of medical oxygen were explored in this viewpoint. Future discoveries and advancements in the field of medical oxygen will be a breakthrough. This narrative review discusses the historical, technological and future advancements in medical gas pipeline systems that will make the process of oxygen storage, supply, and administration efficient along with safety assurance.
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