CJA
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a scholarly reply
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by SASS-KORTSAK, A. M.
Right arrow Articles by PURDHAM, J. T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by SASS-KORTSAK, A. M.
Right arrow Articles by PURDHAM, J. T.

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 28, 22-28, Copyright © 1981 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Exposure of Operating Room Personnel to Anaesthetic Agents: An Examination of the Effectiveness of Scavenging Systems and the Importance of Maintenance Programs

A. M. SASS-KORTSAK 1, I. P. WHEELER 1, and J. T. PURDHAM 1

1 Occupational Hygiene Branch, Occupational Health and Safety Division, Alberta Workers' Health, Safety and Compensation

Ten Alberta hospitals were monitored to assess the exposure of operating room personnel to nitrous oxide, halothane and enflurane during the average work day.

Exposure to these agents in operating rooms without scavenging systems was determined to be well above the recommended guidelines. Contaminants were significantly lower in operating rooms with scavenging systems of either the wall suction type or the air-conditioning exhaust type.

In the majority of studies, leakage points of anaesthetic gases were found throughout the anaesthesia systems. Where maintenance programs for the anaesthesia equipment were designed for the detection and elimination of leakage, contaminant levels were significantly lower than in those hospitals where the maintenance programs were concerned solely with proper equipment function as it relates to patient care.

A regular, frequent maintenance program for all anaesthesia and scavenging systems designed to identify and correct leakage points is therefore recommended. We consider a nitrous oxide monitor to be the ideal tool for detection of leakage.

Key Words: OPERATING ROOMS, contamination, exhaust systems






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1981 by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.