your providers to streamline cases safely and economically, they'll
need to be sitting next to an anesthesia machine with these key fea-
tures.
1. Increased safety
Newer anesthesia machines run through a series of automated checks
in less than 5 minutes to ensure that internal circuitry is functioning
properly, that there aren't leaks within the system and that the ventila-
tor functions optimally. Performing the checks manually on older
machines was time-consuming. Providers would be tempted to skip
the detailed check and simply pressurize the circuit to ensure there
wasn't a major leak in the breathing bag. Now providers can prepare
their workspace for the next case while the machine performs the
entire automated safety check.
Some machines let providers toggle between direct flow and total
flow of oxygen, plus other carrier gases, which is especially helpful
when a specific fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) is required. For
example, when the risk of a surgical fire is heightened, FiO2 is usually
limited to no more than 30%. With older machines, unless one did the
math, achieving 30% often took several minutes of juggling the oxy-
gen/air ratios until the correct value appeared. By switching to total
flow control, the provider can simply dial in an FiO2 of 30%, at whatev-
er total flow is desired, and the concentration delivered by the
machine changes with the patient's next breath.
2. Added precision
Anesthetic gas vaporizers are much more accurate, which makes it
easier to fine-tune the amount of anesthetic that's delivered. Gas ana-
lyzers also allow for the precise tracking of inspired and end-tidal
concentrations of inhalational agents. Being able to accurately track
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