Possible Solutions
Employers should use an anesthetic gas finding system in operating rooms. An appropriate waste gas evacuation involves collecting and removing waste gases, detecting and correcting leaks, considering work practices, and effectively ventilating the room.
There also needs to be enough ventilation in the surgical suite to keep the room concentration of waste anesthetic gases below the applicable occupational exposure levels. To minimize waste anesthetic gas concentrations in the operating room, the recommended air exchange rate (room dilution ventilation) is a minimum total of 15 air changes per hour with a minimum of 3 air changes of outdoor air (fresh air) per hour.
When using a properly designed and operating dilution ventilation system, it will minimize waste anesthetic gas concentrations in recovery room areas. The system should provide a recommended minimum total of 6 air changes per hour with a minimum of 2 air changes of outdoor air per hour.
OSHA also recommends the following when dealing with anesthesia gases and machines:
- Vaporizers of anesthesia machines should be turned off when not in use. Proper face masks, sufficiently inflated endotracheal tubes, and the prevention of anesthetic spills will decrease the amount of waste anesthetic gases in the operating room.
- Inspection and maintenance of anesthesia machines should be conducted by factory service representatives or other qualified personnel at least every four months.
- Prior to each day's use, a complete check of all anesthesia equipment (connectors, tubing, etc.) should be conducted.
- Spills of liquid anesthetic agents should be cleaned up promptly.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-4. Inspection and maintenance of anesthesia machines by factory service representatives should happen every _____ months.
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