High Suggestions for Caring for Your Flowmeter, Knob, and Needle Valve
1. Keep away from Trauma to the Flowmeter
Any bodily trauma can injury the flowmeter and its parts, resulting in leaks or the necessity for pricey repairs. Right here’s easy methods to decrease the danger:
- Forestall the anesthesia machine from tipping over. A machine falling over can severely injury the fragile parts 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 components.
2. Don’t Overtighten the Flowmeter Knob
One frequent mistake that may injury the needle valve is overtightening the flowmeter knob. Right here’s easy 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 power, which may injury the knob or needle valve.
3. Use a Medical-Grade Oxygen or Fuel Supply
Utilizing high-quality, medical-grade oxygen or different fuel sources prevents filth, mud, and different contaminants from getting into the flowmeter and your entire anesthesia machine. Subpar fuel sources can introduce particles into the system, resulting in blockages, injury, or inefficiencies.
4. All the time Flip Off the Flowmeter After Every Use
Leaving the flowmeter on when the machine just isn’t in use may 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 components will be costly and time-consuming.
- Fuel waste and pointless utilization. If the flowmeter is left on, you could possibly be losing oxygen or anesthesia gases, which may result in larger 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 vital to handle it promptly to stop additional fuel loss. A leaking valve can considerably impression the effectivity and security of your anesthesia course of.
Contact Dispomed for repairs: Our staff can usually restore a leaking needle valve, but when the injury is intensive, we could advocate changing your entire valve/knob meeting. For any repairs or upkeep, attain out to your Dispomed service technician for immediate help.
