Almost 30% of anaesthetic machines in UK do not have anti-hypoxia device
BMJ 2001; 323 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.323.7313.629 (Published 15 September 2001) Cite this as: BMJ 2001;323:629
- David I Saunders, specialist registrar in anaesthesia,
- Tim Meek, specialist registrar in anaesthesia (tim.meek@doctors.org.uk)
- Northern Schools of Anaesthesia, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE1 4LP
EDITOR—In February 2001 a child died after resuscitation in an emergency department at Newham General Hospital, London, having been given 100% nitrous oxide.1 This highlighted the ability of some anaesthetic machines to deliver a hypoxic gas mixture. Most modern machines incorporate an anti-hypoxia device in the form of a link between the oxygen and nitrous oxide controls, such that a hypoxic mixture cannot be generated. We have surveyed the prevalence of machines without an anti-hypoxia device across the United Kingdom.
In April 2001 we sent a questionnaire to …
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