Nitrogen purging of oxygen pipelines: an unusual cause of intraoperative hypoxia.
Intraoperative hypoxia occurred in two patients during the maintenance of the medical gas system. Engineers were purging oxygen pipelines with nitrogen to remove particulate debris but were unaware of a connection to operating room pipelines. This case illustrates the importance of communication between anesthesia providers and engineers servicing the gas system.
Elizaga
A M
AM
Department of Anesthesiology, Auburn Regional Medical Center, Washington 98002-9906, USA. aelizaga@u.washington.edu
Frerichs
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010100:Oxygen
D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen