TheatrePracticeStandardsGeneric1

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The scavenging system should be checked for correct connection prior to
anaesthetic administration.
Making sure that waste gas disposal lines are connected
Avoiding turning on nitrous oxide or vapouriser until the circuit is connected to
the patient
Switching of the nitrous oxide and vapouriser when not in use
Maintaining oxygen flow until scavenging system is flushed.
• Anaesthetic gases are exhaled by patients in the recovery area. The gases are
virtually unchanged and initially are at very high levels. Recovery staff work in
close proximity to the patients head and gas concentrations can exceed those
found in the scavenged theatre areas.
• Staff must be aware of:
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The importance of the ventilation systems being in good working order.
The need to perform air sampling accurately, during an operating list and
review regularly.
The sampling methodology, to ensure that waste anaesthetic gas levels are
measured accurately at the point representing the breathing zone of the carer.
The use of personal monitoring devices.
Staff rotation methods.
• All theatres have local scavenging systems to recover anaesthetic agents, and
ventilation systems. These must be turned on to prevent atmospheric pollution,
when anaesthetic gasses are being used.
• The management of waste anaesthetic gases and exposure to personnel comes
under the remit of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
(COSHH) (HMSO 2002b/2004) which clearly state that employers have a legal
obligation to monitor the exposure of employees to substances hazardous to
health.
4. Management of Risk
• Potential hazards for the expectant mother in the perioperative environment must be
assessed by a risk assessment. Once the risks are identified, a plan of action must be
formulated to ensure that the expectant mother is not exposed to any risks within the
workplace. The action plan must be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure that the
working environment is safe. This is a legal requirement (HMSO, 1994).
• If this is beyond the remit or authority of their managers/supervisors they are to
undertake the management of the task of risk elimination or reduction themselves, or
pass it onto an appropriate level of authority for implementation.
• Up to date written records of all the risk assessments, action plans and reviews must
be kept for the expectant mother.
• All significant risks must be recorded onto the appropriate Risk Register and this is kept
up to date.
• The risk assessment must be specific to the workplace environment where the
expectant mother is required to work.
• The risk assessment must identify any concerns about potential hazards to which the
expectant mother may be exposed.
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