Anesthesia Machine Check (Checklist Info Only)

Question 1

What are the 9 basic steps of the anesthesia machine check?

Answer 1

1. Emergency equipment
2. High pressure system check
3. Low pressure system check
4. Oxygen sensor & Breathing circuit
5. Scavenging System
6. Ventilation System
7. Breathing System (Positive pressure check)
8. Monitors
9. Final Check

Question 2

Emergency Equipment (#1)

Answer 2

1. Ambu bag
2. Back up oxygen cylinder (>1000 psig)
3. Functioning suction with Yankauer

Question 3

Steps of High Pressure System Check (#2)

Answer 3

1. Check O₂ cylinder supply
   
   • open cylinder and check PSI (>1000)
   • close cylinder
   • depress O₂ flush
2. Disconnect pipeline supply from the wall

Question 4

Steps of Low Pressure System Check (#3)

Answer 4

1. Check vaporizers
   
   • mounted, filled, and interlock works
2. Check low pressure system
   
   • suction bulb to common gas outlet
   • squeeze bulb until fully collapsed
   • verify bulb stays deflated for 10 seconds
3. Turn on master switch
   
   • listen for O₂ disconnect alarm
   • reconnect pipeline pressure
   • ensure pipeline pressure is > 50 psig
4. Test flowmeters
   
   • adjust flow of all gases through their range
   • attempt to create a hypoxic mixture

Question 5

Steps for checking Oxygen Sensor & Breathing Circuit (#4)

Answer 5

1. Calibrate O₂ sensor
   
   • ensure reads 21% in RA
   • verify low O₂ alarm (set to 30%)
   • re-install sensor and flush with O₂– now reads 90%
2. Install breathing circuit

Question 6

Steps for checking Scavenging System (#5)

Answer 6

1. Ensure proper connection of scavenging system
2. Adjust waste gas vacuum
3. Fully open APL valve
4. Occlude Y-piece and ensure gauge reads < 10 cm H₂O
5. With Y-piece occluded, depress O₂ flush, ensure the reservoir bag distends, and the pressure gauge reads <10 cm H₂O

Question 7

Steps for checking Ventilation System (#6)

Answer 7

1. Place a 2^nd breathing bag on Y piece
2. Set appropriate vent setting for next patient
3. Set O₂ at 5L
4. Turn ventilator on & fill bellow with flush valve
5. Verify bellows deliver adequate tidal volumes
6. Check function of unidirectional valve
7. Squeeze bag & check over pressure alarm
8. Set to manual vent mode
9. Ensure ability to manually ventilate
10. Turn off ventilator and remove breathing bag

Question 8

Steps for checking Breathing System (#7)

Answer 8

(positive pressure check)

1. Set all gas flow to zero
2. Close APL valve and occlude the Y piece
3. Pressurize the breathing system to 30 cm H₂O
4. Ensure pressure remains fixed for at least 10 seconds
5. Fully open APL valve and allow bag to self deflate and flows through the scavenger

Question 9

Monitors check (#8)

Answer 9

1. Set anesthesia monitors for next patient

Question 10

Final Check (#9)

Answer 10

1. Vaporizers off
2. APL valve open
3. Selector switch set to bag
4. All flowmeters set to zero
5. Suction available
6. Monitors set appropriately
7. Circuit on, CO₂ sampling line connected, and correct mask on