Hazards and Safety of Vaporizers

An anaesthetic vaporiser is a device that is typically attached to an anaesthetic machine which delivers a given concentration of a volatile anaesthetic agent. The purpose of an anesthetic vaporizer is to produce a controlled and predictable concentration of anesthetic vapor in the carrier gas passing through the vaporizer.

Below, we will address the both the hazards and safety features of contemporary vaporizers.

Hazards:

• Incorret agent
• Tipping - if tipped more than 45 degrees from the vertical, liquid agent can obstruct valves.  
• Simultaneous inhaled agent administration
• Reliance on breath by breath gas analysis rather than preventative maintenance
• Overfilling
• Leaks
• Electronic failure

Consequences of Not Maintaining Vaporizers:

• Patient death 
• Patient awareness (of surgery going on even though they  cannot move or speak.  This can also be considered anesthetic awareness)
• Regaining consciousness
• The vaporizer jams up and the surgery can not continue
• The patient is injured - there is mental and physical trauma

Safety Features:

• Keyed vaporizers
• Low filling port
• Secured vaporizers
• Interlocks
• Concentration dial increases output when rotated clockwise