One advantage that a large, major hospital and medical treatment center will have over a smaller facility is a larger budget to replace and upgrade equipment. Smaller facilities often retain older equipment for longer, but this will vary based on the specific hospital or treatment center.
For many large facilities, several anesthesia machines may be in inventory, providing specialized features and functions based on the needs of the specific patient and procedure. Smaller healthcare systems are more likely to use a general anesthesia machine that can be used for the types of procedures that are done within the facility.
The Basics
Replacing a general anesthesia machine or adding new equipment provides the opportunity to move to a newer model or a model with a wider range of standard features and functions.
Regardless of the model or brand of anesthesia machine under consideration, make sure that it:
Has a fail-safe system built in for power
Functions using an O2 sensor
Has backup gas cylinders on the system
Features at least two vaporizer ports
Has a standing bellows ventilator
Is easily moved to the necessary locations for use
Additionally, check to make sure the system is compatible with your hospital patient management system and is fully compatible with all other systems that will need to be operated with the machine.
Refurbished or New
One way to avoid the high cost of a new machine is to purchase a like-new, refurbished general anesthesia machine. This equipment has been completely upgraded, repaired and tested and, from top sellers, it will also have a warranty.
This allows a smaller facility to choose a model of anesthesia machine that may be outside of the budget if purchased new. Comparing options and prices can provide good insight into which anesthesia machine is right for a small facility’s requirements.
