Safety Features

Appropriate knowledge of operating room (OR) equipment, safety features, and alarms is fundamental to the prevention of patient injury. Mechanical ventilators frequently contain built-in pressure sensors and alarms designed to alert to ventilator disconnections, circuit leaks, fresh gas flow failures, inappropriate ventilator settings, and scavenging system failures. Preoperatively, an anesthesia machine check is recommended to verify that the high- and low-pressure systems are functioning appropriately, the circuit contains no leaks, the oxygen sensors are calibrated, the unidirectional inspiratory and expiratory valves are intact, and the scavenging system and carbon dioxide absorbent are working. Intraoperatively, a systematic approach to evaluating causes of the low-pressure alarm is key to rapid detection and prevention of patient injuries. ORs may contain two different types of electrical systems: a grounded system, similar to most homes and buildings, that contains a ground fault circuit interrupter; or an isolated electrical system containing an isolation transformer and line isolation monitor. Knowledge of OR electrical systems is important when connecting equipment to power sources because a piece of equipment may lose power if there is current leakage or a patient or provider could be at risk for an electric shock if alarms are triggered.