Chapter 9
- Inhaled Anesthetic Delivery Systems
*
- Russell C. Brockwell
- J. Jeff Andrews
An anesthesia delivery system consists of various components that
communicate with each other during the administration of inhalational anesthetics.
[1]
System components include the anesthesia machine,
the vaporizers, the anesthetic breathing circuit, the ventilator, and the scavenging
system. A thorough understanding of these parts is essential to the safe practice
of anesthesia. Malpractice claims associated with gas delivery equipment are infrequent
but severe and continue to occur, one as recently as 2002.[2]
[3]
This chapter discusses the normal operation,
function, and integration of major system components. More importantly, it illustrates
some of the problems and hazards associated with each and describes appropriate preoperative
checks.
