Testing Gas Supply and Suction
Outlets
- check each bed space
- labeling
- colour coding
- sleeve index system
- in a level 3 unit: 3 O2, 2 air and 3 suction outlets
Gas
- correct gas for outlet
- purity of gas
- check oxygen concentrations at all outlets (this will distinguish between O2, air and other gases)
- sniff test for objectionable odours at medical air outlets only
- if a non-respirable gas present -> testing should be performed by an anaesthetist
Flow rate and Pressure
- using a device that fits the outlet (pressure manometer, variable flow restrictor and a flow meter)
- air and O2: static pressure 415kPa, then set flow rate to 40L/min -> change in pressure should be less than 10kPa
- suction: static pressure -60kPa -> change flow rate to 40L/min -> change in pressure should be less than 15kPa.
Testing of Alarms
- turn off the isolating valve for each supplied gas in turn -> ensure that visible and audible alarms activate.
Critical Care
Compendium
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC