All About WAGs
WAG is an acronym for this
Waste Anesthetic Gas
These awesome team members are responsible for leak testing, troubleshooting, maintaining, and scheduling calibration, repair, and maintenance of the anesthesia machines
LVTs
Anesthesia machine maintenance records are kept in this location
Anesthesia induction occurs here at CAC
Treatment
OSHA recommends air sampling for anesthetic gases on this schedule
Every 6 months/biannually
WAGs come from these two sources
Leaking anesthetic circuit and exhaled breath from patients recovering from anesthesia
CO2 absorbent (aka soda lime) is changed on this schedule
Every 8-12 hours of use, or at minimum every 2 weeks
Maintenance logs for changing soda lime are found here
On a clipboard leaning against the surgery window
The anesthetic gas used at CAC
Isoflurane
If a hazardous spill occurs, this is where to find the clean up procedure for the spilled chemical
Scavenging system
f/air cansiters are changed once they have gained this amount of weight
50 grams
Maintenance logs for changing f/air canisters are found here
On a clipboard hanging by the OR door
Anesthetic induction and maintenance of anesthesia is performed by these team members
LVTs
PPE for soda lime changing consists of these two items
Gloves and mask
If you are concerned about exposure to WAGs, you should contact your OSHA safety officer, who is this
Matti
This company maintains our anesthesia machines
Dalco
f/air canisters are weighed _________ and these weights are recorded _________.
Team members should recruit help lifting and moving heavy/long patients who have been induced for these two reasons
Protection of team members' backs, protection of the patient's airway (preventing tracheal tears due to excessive movement or bending of the endotracheal tube during transport)
When performing an anesthesia machine leak test, accidentally leaving this closed once the test is complete can result in significant patient harm or death
Pop-off valve
These are the 4 ways we can reduce our exposure to WAGs
Ventilation, scavenging system, leak testing anesthesia systems prior to use, keeping patients on oxygen without isoflurane for a period of time after gas is turned off at the end of a procedure in order to reduce residual inhaled gas being exhaled into the environment
Our anesthesia machines are checked and maintained on this schedule
Annually (around December/January)
These individuals are responsible for updating maintenance logs and records
Anyone performing maintenance! Usually LVTs but could be trained assistants as well.
The scavenging system at CAC is _____________ and the equipment that accomplishes the task of scavenging is called ______________.
passive, f/air canister
There are 6 ways anesthesia safety concerns can be exacerbated; these are two of them.
Improper oxygen or anesthetic gas flow rates
No scavenging system
Incorrect use of anesthetic equipment
Inadequate preop prep or stabilization
Inappropriate endotracheal tube size (too small, cuff not inflated appropriately)
Breathing and ventilation errors