Anesthesia Machine Pre-Use Check

It covers the machine identification and startup setup, the high-pressure gas supply, the low-pressure system, the breathing circuit and ventilator, and the gas analyzer and monitoring setup. The checklist is designed to verify that the machine is ready before the first patient is connected. It focuses on observable, testable conditions such as pressure, leaks, alarm settings, and component function. It does not replace manufacturer-specific service procedures or preventive maintenance.

Use it before the first case of the day and any time the anesthesia machine is moved, serviced, or suspected of having a fault. Many teams also run it after cylinder changes, pipeline work, or a room turnover that involved disconnecting equipment. If the machine is taken out of service and returned, repeat the full check before use. The goal is to confirm readiness immediately before patient care begins.

A qualified anesthesia clinician or other trained staff member assigned by local policy should complete it. The person doing the check should understand the machine model, the gas supply configuration, and the local alarm and calibration requirements. If a deficiency is found, the machine should be tagged and escalated according to facility procedure. This is not a task for untrained personnel or a casual visual glance.

Yes, it supports the kind of documented equipment readiness expected under healthcare safety and quality programs, including manufacturer instructions for use and facility policies. It also helps demonstrate disciplined control of gas delivery, alarms, and breathing circuit integrity, which are common expectations in anesthesia safety reviews. Depending on the facility, it can support internal risk management, Joint Commission-style readiness practices, and biomedical maintenance workflows. It should be used alongside local policy and the device manufacturer’s pre-use checklist.

Common mistakes include skipping the leak test, assuming the pipeline supply is correct without verifying the outlets, and overlooking an empty or nearly empty backup cylinder. Another frequent issue is leaving the APL valve or alarm limits in the wrong position from the prior case. Teams also sometimes forget to confirm gas analyzer warm-up or calibration before use. This template helps prevent those misses by walking through the machine in the same order an operator would use it.

Yes, and it should be customized to the specific machine model, vaporizer setup, and monitoring package in your facility. You can add model-specific self-test prompts, local alarm defaults, or extra checks for integrated ventilators and scavenging systems. If your department uses different machines across rooms, create a version for each platform so the wording matches the actual controls and indicators. Keep the core checks consistent so results are comparable across rooms and shifts.

A verbal check is easy to forget, hard to audit, and often misses small but critical defects like a loose hose, incorrect outlet connection, or analyzer not warmed up. This template creates a repeatable sequence and a record that the machine was checked before use. It also makes it easier to spot recurring equipment issues and hand them off to biomedical engineering. For high-risk equipment, a documented checklist is much more reliable than memory alone.

Stop using the machine for patient care until the issue is resolved or the unit is removed from service. Document the deficiency clearly, notify the appropriate clinical lead or biomedical contact, and follow your facility’s escalation process. If the failure involves gas supply, leak integrity, or monitoring, do not bypass the problem with a workaround. The template should be used to record the issue, not to justify proceeding.