How to pressure check an anaesthetic machine
Carl Bradbrook
Monday, November 2, 2015
Pre-anaesthetic checks, including those focusing on the anaesthetic machine, form an important part of patient safety and have become an integral part of the peri-anaesthetic checklists currently being introduced into veterinary medicine. Careful testing of the anaesthetic machine involves pressure testing the various components, allowing detection of any defective workings prior to use. Implementing a step by step guide ensures that no important stages are omitted from pressure checking and prevents patient safety from being compromised. Visual checks of the gas cylinder connections, vaporiser(s), flow meters and common gas outlet should be followed by testing of the low and high pressure systems within the anaesthetic machine and then the vaporiser and its attachment to the back bar. Any leaks detected should be identified and resolved if possible or repairs organised and alternative equipment utilised.
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