Facilities & Equipment
Home Up Organisation Staffing & Direction Policies & Procedures Staff Development Facilities & Equipment Quality Assurance

 

STANDARD 5 - FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

The physical surroundings and equipment, in any areas where anaesthetic are administered, permit the safe administration of anaesthetic agents.

5. CRITERIA

5.1 Suitably equipped accommodation separate from the operating room and access corridors is provided for the patient awaiting surgery.

5.2 The facilities used for induction of anaesthesia are designed and equipped for safe practice.

5.3 Areas specified in Criterion 5.2 (above) are equipped with oxygen, suction complying with AS.2120, suitable lighting complying with AS.2502 and the means of resuscitation complying with AS.2488.

5.4 Areas where anaesthetics are administered comply with the requirements of AS.2896 - Non-flammable Medical Gas Pipeline Systems and AS.1169 - Flammable Anaesthetic Agents.

5.5 In areas specified in 5.2 (above) -

Electrically operated medical equipment complies with AS.3200;

Electrical installation complies with AS.3003;

Selection, application, use and maintenance of electrical equipment is in accordance with AS.2500.

5.6 Emergency power complying with AS.3009 and suction of an appropriate nature complying with AS.2120 are available in the event of supply failure.

5.7 All anaesthetics are administered in a safe environment and essential equipment is present.

INTERPRETATION

Essential equipment for safe anaesthesia is not listed in detail but in general should comply with the guidelines as outlined by the College of Anaesthetists, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Documents T1-T6, Paragraph 3.

5.8 Anaesthetic machines are in good condition, regularly maintained and serviced and with documented evidence of such servicing. A protocol for checking anaesthetic machines before use is followed.

5.9 Where automatic ventilation is used it should be provided with a means for detecting accidental disconnection from the patient.

5.10 Environmental control ensures that temperatures are not above or below safe limits for anaesthetised patients, i.e. 20oC minimum and 26oC maximum.

5.11 Waste anaesthetic gases and vapours are scavenged.

5.12 An adequately equipped staff area for recovery from anaesthesia is provided.

INTERPRETATION

Requirements for the Recovery Room are not listed in detail but, in general, should comply with the guidelines as outlined by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists document P.4, (2-83).

5.13 Anaesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy is administered with suitable facilities and equipment available.

INTERPRETATION

Requirements are not listed in detail but, in general, should comply with the guidelines as outlined by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, document T.4, Paragraph 3.

5.14 All documents referred to in this standard are available in the department.