Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Case Report - A case is described of central oxygen pipeline failure that occurred at a large academic hospital and its subsequent implications for managing the situation. Literature review - The literature review undertaken focused on the current state of affairs with regards to anaesthetic staff's knowledge of and preparedness for the management implications of central oxygen pipeline failure. The events I describe below demonstrate a significant deficiency in the staff’s understanding of and training for the crisis, which should be remedied to improve patient safety. Specific measures are suggested in the literature to prevent such incidents and guidelines are available to manage central oxygen pipeline failure. These are reviewed in this study. Recommendations - This study attempts to bring together the most critical aspects that need to be addressed to safely manage similar future incidents. Prevention should include measures to implement clearly stated disaster management plans and increased awareness with regards to the medical gas pipeline system (MGPS), simulation training, efficient alarm systems, personally conducted routine evaluations of equipment and emergency backup systems by anaesthesiologists and effective communication between hospital staff. Careful planning and successful coordination during maintenance and modification of the medical gas pipeline system, using piston-type or air-driven, rather than oxygen-driven, ventilators and optimal design of the hospital bulk oxygen system can contribute to reduce risks. In the event of central oxygen pipeline failure a specific sequence of actions should be taken by the anaesthesiologist and a clear institutional operational policy is described. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gevalsbeskrywing - 'n Geval van sentrale suurstoftoevoerversaking, wat plaasgevind het by 'n groot opleidingshospitaal, word bespreek. Daar word ook gekyk na die praktiese gevolge met betrekking tot die hantering van die situasie. Literatuurstudie - 'n Literatuurstudie is aangepak met die doel om te fokus op die huidige toedrag van sake betreffende narkosepersoneel se kennis en paraatheid in die hantering van sentrale suurstoftoevoerversaking. 'n Wesenlike gebrek aan begrip en opleiding aangaande hierdie onderwerp is geïdentifiseer – areas wat, met die nodige aandag, verbeter kan word ten einde die welstand van pasiënte te verseker. Spesifieke voorkomende maatreëls en hanteringsriglyne word voorgestel deur die literatuur en word gevolglik hersien in hierdie studie. Aanbevelings - Hierdie studie poog om kernaspekte aan te raak ten einde soortgelyke toekomstige voorvalle veilig en optimaal te kan hanteer. Voorkomende maatreëls behels onder meer die daarstelling van duidelik verstaanbare noodplanne, verbeterde bewustheid aangaande die mediese gaspypsisteem, simulasie-opleiding, doeltreffende alarmstelsels, effektiewe kommunikasie tussen hospitaalpersoneel, sowel as narkotiseurs wat self roetine-evaluasies van hul narkosetoebehore en -noodtoerusting uitvoer. Noukeurige beplanning en neweskikking tydens herstelwerk of werk aan die mediese gaspypsisteem, die gebruik van suierventilators (of dan lugaangedrewe in plaas van suurstofaangedrewe ventilators) en die optimale uitleg van 'n hospitaal se suurstoftoevoer, kan bydra om die risiko's te beperk. In die geval van sentrale suurstoftoevoerversaking behoort die narkotiseur stapsgewyse aksie te neem. 'n Duidelike institusionele noodbeleid word ook omskryf.