Anesthesia Machines Compatibility, Warranty, & Maintenance

As in our first and second posts on full-size upright anesthesia machines, we’re using the Integra SP I and Integra SP II to compare features available on the leading units in the anesthesia machine market. (If you’re shopping for such a unit, feel free to visit our sponsor.) In this post, we’ll analyze the importance of warranty and maintenance costs, CO2 absorbers and mounting/compatibility options.

Warranty and Maintenance

A new anesthesia machine should last about 15 years, but that lifespan varies between manufacturers. Of course, there is no crystal ball to tell when your anesthesia machine will fail or break down, but the warranty offered by the manufacturer is often indicative of the quality of the product. Most anesthesia machines offer a two year defective parts warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty of about the same length. Be cautious of new units that are accompanied by a warranty of less than two years; buying a cheaper unit in the short run frequently leads to greater maintenance and repair costs in the long run.

While not as costly as a repair, regular maintenance is certainly an expense that concerns many facilities that own anesthesia machines. Most units require four preventative maintenances a year; new technology, however, enables some units to operate with only half that many. The SP I and SP II are both equipped with such technology, thus cutting their maintenance expenses in half.

Aside from the quality of the machine itself and the corresponding warranty offered, the next greatest determinate of repair expenses is the way the unit is designed. Foremost among these design measures to look for is the non-integration of monitors, ventilators and vaporizers. For instance, if the unit you purchase features an integrated oxygen monitor that fails or breaks down, the expense of repairing or replacing it will be inflated by the hassle of removing it from the machine as a whole. Furthermore, in the case of such a failure, you would have to wait until the monitor is repaired to use any part of the machine.

CO2 Absorbers Newer anesthesia machines often feature a double canister CO2 filter. Why two filters? For the same reason you might install a secondary filtration device on your facility’s water supply or ventilation system: while having one filter keeps things clean, having two filters increases the effectiveness of the filtration system as a whole. Increasing the percentage CO2 filtered per cycle is important to maintaining proper concentrations of oxygen and NO2 in a patient, and that precision is vital to the safety of your patient and the success of your procedure. Contrarily, twice the filtration should not have to mean twice the clutter. The insightful ergonomic design of the Integra series accounts for the limited space in many facilities by building in a storage space for the canisters under the work shelf – within reach for accessibility, but out of the way for productivity.

Mounting and Compatibility Because every facility has a unique setup in which it uses its anesthesia machine, it’s important to choose a unit that allows you to mount both the equipment you already have and any equipment you may plan to purchase in the future. For instance, the Integra SP series features a versatile T-slot side mounting design that allows for pole-mounting, v-brackets and ventilator brackets. Of course, the importance of each of these is determined by the setup of your facility, but v-brackets are in many cases a must. V-brackets can mount gas scavenging units, suction units and other access. Pole mounts, also provide a versatile mounting system, accommodating entire upright ventilators as well as bellows alone. Ensure that your choice of anesthesia machine does not limit your choice of vaporizers: every system is not compatible with every vaporizer. Contrarily, both of our comparison specimens feature a Selectatec®-compatible vaporizer mounting system that is diverse enough to accommodate an entire array of makes and models.

In today’s market of ever-expanding technology, the issue of compatibility stretches far beyond the realm of simple connections; today’s machines must interact and cooperate with any number of systems. One of the most overlooked OR harmonies that may not seem immediately apparent is that of MRI compatibility. If your facility requires the storage and usage of an anesthesia machine in the same room as an MRI machine – as many facilities do – the ability to operate the two within close proximity is invaluable. Even more important, and tangible, is that of compatible ventilators. The Integra SP I and II are both compatible with the DRE AV800, Ohmeda 7000 and 7800. Most units make ventilator options apparent in their sales literature, but if they do not, ask your sales associate for a complete list.

Conclusion Now that we’ve covered the field of features available in today’s anesthesia machine market – or at least as many as would fit in these three blog posts – we hope you are able to make a more informed purchasing decision with greater confidence, less frustration and higher satisfaction. Our sponsor also hopes you’re a bit more informed about the advantages of their product line, and we of course encourage you to experience them for yourselves.