Anesthesia machines are used by anesthesiologists to deliver and support the use of the drug. Experts expect the market for anesthesia machines to reach a value of $14.7 billion by 2023.
Anesthesia remains an essential part of any surgical procedure. It’s important that if you’re using an anesthesia machine, you do so carefully. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, accidents involving anesthesia machines represent two percent of medical liability claims.
With the need for these machines growing, here’s a look at three tips for using them.
1. Inspect the Breathing System
The first of the anesthesia machine parts to check before use is the breathing system. Proper inspection of the breathing system includes reviewing the oxygen monitor and the breathing circuit.
The oxygen monitor should read about 21 percent on room air. Removing the oxygen analyzer from the anesthesia machine will help you ensure the alarm is working on the device.
The breathing circuit delivers medication to the patient. Make sure the valves open and close correctly through each phase of the breathing cycle. Most anesthesia machines have these valves readily visible.
2. Check for Leaks and Ventilation
An important item on any anesthesia machine checklist is to check for leaks and proper ventilation. To do this, the gas flow should be set to zero. From there, close the APL valve and Y-piece, which are anesthesia machine parts.
To pressurize the breathing system, flush the oxygen and leave the system pressurized for 15 seconds. Afterward, open the valve to make sure the pressure decreases at a normal rate.
Remove the breathing bag from the machine to check the ventilator. Connect the bag to the breathing circuit and activate the device’s ventilator mode. Flush oxygen to fill the breathing circuit and bag with a flow of about five liters per minute. This action stimulates the anesthesia machine ventilating for a patient.
Confirm the inspiratory and expiratory valves are working as intended. Review the tidal volume being delivered and check the breathing rate set for the machine. At this point, remove the bag from the breathing circuit to make sure the alarm is working as well.
Some anesthesia machine companies sell devices that come with built-in respiratory ventilators.
3. Review the Monitors
Surgical procedures involving anesthesia need monitors to keep an eye on patient levels and safety. These monitors keep track of the delivery of substances like drugs, fluids, and gases to the patient. The monitors, even for a portable anesthesia machine, include a capnometer, a pulse oximeter, and a spirometer.
An anesthesia machine diagram indicates the capnometer checks for carbon dioxide. Breathe into this to see if it’s reading carbon dioxide.
To evaluate the pulse oximeter, put it on a finger in order to inspect your pulse. If it detects a pulse, it’s working. The pulse oximeter should also provide a reading of your blood’s oxygenation level.
The spirometer shows the volume a patient is breathing. You can check this while testing the ventilator or breathing into the circuit.
Anesthesia Machines and Much More
Anesthesia machines play an important role in surgical procedures. These machines must be in working order to provide their intended results. Users should keep these three tips in mind before using an anesthesia machine on any patient.
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