Breathing system disconnexions and misconnexions. A review of some common causes and some suggestions for improved safety.
Reports of breathing system disconnexions and misconnexions suggest that such occurrences are now amongst the most frequent causes of accident or near accident during anaesthesia or lung ventilation in which equipment is involved. These reports usually blame the breathing system connectors for failing to make a secure joint but much of the evidence suggests that the choice of an unsuitable or unsatisfactory component or the manner in which it is used may be more likely to be at fault. Several previous articles in Health Equipment Information have drawn attention to these problems. The purpose of this one is to review the various types of connector that are available, to explain how some accidents have occurred, and to mention some developments intended to provide better security.
D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D004869:Equipment Safety; D012015:Reference Standards; D006113:United Kingdom; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000592:standards