Prime Suggestions for Caring for Your Flowmeter, Knob, and Needle Valve
1. Keep away from Trauma to the Flowmeter
Any bodily trauma can harm the flowmeter and its elements, resulting in leaks or the necessity for expensive repairs. Right here’s methods to decrease the danger:
- Stop the anesthesia machine from tipping over. A machine falling over can severely harm the fragile elements of the flowmeter, particularly the glass tube.
- Be cautious of collisions with partitions, counter tops, or surgical procedure tables. Even minor impacts can result in misalignments or cracks within the flowmeter elements.
2. Don’t Overtighten the Flowmeter Knob
One widespread mistake that may harm the needle valve is overtightening the flowmeter knob. Right here’s methods to keep away from it:
- Flip off the flowmeter when the indicator reaches zero. Overtightening past this level can misalign the needle valve, resulting in fuel leaks and improper shutdown.
Tip: Use only one finger to show off the flowmeter. This ensures you don’t apply extreme drive, which may harm the knob or needle valve.
3. Use a Medical-Grade Oxygen or Gasoline Supply
Utilizing high-quality, medical-grade oxygen or different fuel sources prevents grime, mud, and different contaminants from getting into the flowmeter and all the anesthesia machine. Subpar fuel sources can introduce particles into the system, resulting in blockages, harm, or inefficiencies.
4. All the time Flip Off the Flowmeter After Every Use
Leaving the flowmeter on when the machine isn’t in use could cause a number of issues:
- A sudden burst of strain when the fuel supply is turned on can shatter the glass flowmeter tube. Changing these elements may be costly and time-consuming.
- Gasoline waste and pointless utilization. If the flowmeter is left on, you may be losing oxygen or anesthesia gases, which might result in greater operational prices. All the time make sure the flowmeter is correctly turned off after each process.
Tip: Defend your flowmeter with a window cowl. This easy addition safeguards the glass tube from exterior trauma.
What to Do If Your Needle Valve is Leaking
Should you discover that your needle valve is leaking, it’s necessary to deal with it promptly to forestall additional fuel loss. A leaking valve can considerably influence the effectivity and security of your anesthesia course of.
Contact Dispomed for repairs: Our staff can typically restore a leaking needle valve, but when the harm is in depth, we might advocate changing all the valve/knob meeting. For any repairs or upkeep, attain out to your Dispomed service technician for immediate help.
