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MAINTENANCE
Routine maintenance of anesthesia devices is important in order to prevent leakage of anesthetic gas into the O.R. atmosphere. Leaks expose O.R. personnel to potentially hazardous gases and at the same time can potentially reduce the anesthetic concentrations delivered to the patient. There are two simple tests that should be done routinely to ensure proper function of your anesthesia systems.

The 10 Second Test for Rebreathing Systems
Before each use, "leak check" the machine, and also ensure that the waste gases have a patent way through your evacuation system.

1. Close the pop-off valve and cover the Y-piece with your palm or thumb.
2. Hit oxygen flush or turn on oxygen until the bag is distended (manometer should read approximately 30cm H2O).
3. Turn the oxygen off and watch the manometer, or the bag if your machine does not have a manometer. If the manometer reading drops rapidly, or the bag deflates rapidly, or if you hear a hissing sound, you have a leak.
4. Check hoses, bag, vaporizer inlet and outlet, any screw down fittings, and the seals at the top and bottom of your soda sorb container for leaks. When the pressure remains fairly constant, with the oxygen turned off, your machine can be considered leak-free on the low-pressure side. Windex may be used to visualize a leak - it will bubble.
5. Reopen the pop-off valve to your usual setting.
6. Squeeze the bag (with your thumb still over the Y-piece) to ensure the gases have a patent way out through your waste gas scavenging system.

Quality Assurance Checklist [click for pdf]
This document will step you through tests that will determine if there are any potentially unsafe leaks on either the high or low-pressure side of your anesthesia system.