What does the ASSS (American Standard Safety System) utilize to prevent incorrect connections?

The ASSS (American Standard Safety System) is designed to ensure that gas connections are made safely and accurately by utilizing differing thread pitches. Each medical gas type has a unique thread configuration that prevents the potential for cross-connection between gases. This means that even if two different medical gases use similar fittings, their thread pitches will not match, thereby preventing the incorrect connection of gas cylinders or pipes.

The use of different thread pitches is crucial in maintaining patient safety and ensuring that the right gas is delivered to the right application. Other methods, such as color coding, while common in identifying gas types, do not provide the mechanical safeguard against cross-connection that thread pitch variations do. This specificity in threading is a fundamental aspect of the ASSS, making sure that the proper gas connections are made in healthcare settings.