the amount of anes-
thetic that's delivered
allows for a smoother
anesthetic experience.
This is especially help-
ful at the beginning of
cases, when you're try-
ing to reach an ade-
quate depth of anes-
thesia, and at the end
of cases, when you're
lightening the anes-
thetic so patients
emerge as surgeons
place the last stitch.
Sophisticated ventila-
tor modes function
with nearly the same
precision as ICU venti-
lators. This allows the
provider to tailor the optimal ventilator mode for a particular patient's sur-
gery and medical condition. Older machines were limited to a simple
choice of either volume control or pressure control mode. For patients
undergoing laparoscopic cases with high intra-abdominal pressures, or
patients who have poor lung compliance, this could raise the risk of both
barotrauma and inadequate ventilation. Newer machines allow hybrid
modes to ensure both optimal inspiratory pressures and adequate tidal
volume. It's extremely valuable to have the capability to dial in exact tidal
volumes and pressures, and to have those settings repeat reliably.
In addition, integrated monitors that measure complex respiratory
J U L Y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 4 9
• GO GREEN Breathing circuits on newer machines are designed to limit wasting of
gas into the atmosphere to shield your staff from exposure to greenhouse gases.
