Free-standing vaporizers. Another hazard.
A previously unreported hazard of free-standing 'Tec' type vaporizers relating to their positioning downstream of the oxygen flush is presented. Three Enfluratec Mark III vaporizers were studied; measurement of delivered enflurane concentration was performed at a flow rate of 8 litres/minute, during and after the application of the oxygen flush upstream of the vaporizer. The maximum difference between the dial setting and the measured vapour concentration occurred when a 5-second flush was applied to a vaporizer set at 0.2 volume %, the peak vapour concentration recorded being 2.3%. Other hazards of free-standing vaporizers are discussed and ways of avoiding these hazards considered.
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004737:Enflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen; D014835:Volatilization
D004737:Enflurane; D010100:Oxygen