The reuse of anesthesia breathing systems: another difference of opinion and practice between the United States and Europe

Halbeis, Christoph B. Egger; Macario, Alex; Brock‐Utne, John G.

doi:10.1016/j.jclinane.2007.10.006

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…As the authors point out, the results cannot be systematically extrapolated to other countries because of the different energy sources used in each country. An important point is the use in this study of reusable breathing circuits changed once a week, as is the case in several countries, 2–5 which considerably reduces costs and greenhouse gas emissions compared to North American practices that require changing circuits (mostly single-use) between each patient even when a filter is used. 6,7 It is conceivable that this would have had an impact on the results of the same study conducted in North America.…”

Section: To the Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon Footprint of Anesthesia: Comment

Gobert

Dernis²

2022

Anesthesiology

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Section: To the Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon Footprint of Anesthesia: Comment

Gobert

Dernis²

2022

Anesthesiology

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“…Three methods were then in common use: either a single‐use breathing system was used for more than one patient protected by a breathing system filter; the breathing system was disposed of after each patient; or a reusable breathing system was used that was reprocessed before being used on a subsequent patient. The first method became popular in parts of Europe although not in the US [58]. However, these precautionary measures were not universally followed, and breathing systems without filters were used on more than one patient without reprocessing.…”

Section: Breathing System Filtersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat and moisture exchangers and breathing system filters: their use in anaesthesia and intensive care. Part 1 – history, principles and efficiency

Wilkes

2010

Anaesthesia

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SummaryHeat and moisture exchangers and breathing system filters are intended to replace the normal warming, humidifying and filtering functions of the upper airways when these structures are bypassed during anaesthesia and intensive care. Guidance on their use continues to evolve. The aim of this part of the review is to describe the principles of their action and efficiency and to summarise the findings from clinical and laboratory studies. Based on previous studies, an appropriate minimum target for moisture output is 30 and 20 g.m )3 for long-duration use in intensive care and short-duration use in anaesthesia, respectively. The practice of reusing a breathing system in anaesthesia, provided it is protected by a filter, assumes that the filter is effective. However, there is wide variation in the gas-borne filtration performance, and contaminated condensate can potentially pass through some filters under typical pressures encountered during mechanical ventilation.

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“…The breathing system used in this case is suggested by the manufacturers to be suitable for re-use for up to 7 days, provided that a respiratory filter is interposed between it and the patient, and the system remains fit for its intended purpose. The re-use of disposable rebreathing systems is, however, a controversial subject in human anaesthesia (Halbeis et al 2008). Advantages of re-use are reduction in cost and of medical waste, whilst disadvantages include potential for transfer of infection and risk of system failure due to wear and tear.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%