title: Evaluation of the Approaches of the Anaesthesiologists on Maintenance of Anaesthesia Machines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we aimed to discuss the level of knowledge and approach on 'maintenance, calibration and cleaning of anaesthesia devices' among anaesthesiologists in Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was prepared with 21 questions based on the Google document system, and these questionnaires were sent to the anaesthesiologists via e-mail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 226 anaesthesiologists answered our survey. With respect to the maintenance and calibration, anaesthesiologists had sufficient information about the vaporizer and the carbon dioxide canister devices; however, information about the vital components, such as disassembly of the anaesthesia machine, flow sensor, oxygen sensor, battery and exhaust system, was insufficient. The cleaning and sterilization procedures were performed when the devices became dirty, and the bacteria filter was used only for the protection of the anaesthesia system. There was a lack of knowledge about how and which part of the anaesthesia device should be disinfected. In total, 85% of the survey participants were thinking of the need of additional education on anaesthesia machine maintenance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is observed that education about anaesthesia device maintenance, calibration and cleaning issues is obviously necessary for the anaesthesiology specialists in our country. We believe that it would be useful to highlight this issue to anaesthesia educational institutions and anaesthesia associations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Uğur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Altınışık
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice Betül
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Altınışık
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuncer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Şimşek
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan Ali
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kiraz
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuğba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doğu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hüseyin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toman
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Şahin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University School of Medicine, Çanakkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mesut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erbaş
keywords: Anaesthesia device; calibration; hygiene; maintenance