Failure of a heat and moisture exchanger as a cause of disconnection during anaesthesia.
Two cases of ventilator tubing mishaps, resulting from defective heat and moisture exchangers, are described. The report emphasises the need for preoperative inspection of the anaesthetic machine and associated equipment as well as the importance of a disconnect alarm device.
Bengtsson
M
M
Department of Anaesthesiology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Johnson
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation*