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Dept of Health

Answer

Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether all anaesthetic machines used in the NHS operate with (a) an oxygen analyser, (b) an anti-hypoxic guard and (c) both. [59871] Mr. Lammy: The Medical Devices Agency (MDA) published SN2001(15) in May 2001 on "Anaesthetic Machines: Prevention of Hypoxic Gas Mixtures". This advised that all anaesthetic machines capable of delivering hypoxic gas mixtures must have a hypoxic guard fitted or use an oxygen analyser with audible alarms to warn of the delivery of hypoxic gas mixtures. As a follow up to this safety notice, in October 2001, Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and Dr. David Jefferys, chief executive of MDA, wrote joint letters to chief executives of trusts and regional directors of public health requesting that they report back on how the actions recommended in the safety notice had been implemented. We know that of 5,843 anaesthetic machines in National Health Service hospitals in England, 186 have neither an oxygen analyser or hypoxic guard. Of those 186, 47 have had their ability to deliver hypoxic mixtures disabled, meaning they can deliver only oxygen or air only. All other anaesthetic machines in use in the NHS in England, 5657, comply with the safety notice by having at least one or the other. Many of the non-compliant machines have now been put out of service and new, compliant machines have already been ordered by many trusts. Assurances have been given by all trusts with non-compliant machines that these will be replaced or made compliant and regional directors of public health will ensure that this happens by 31 October 2002, reporting to the CMO and MDA. We do not hold centrally details of the number of the number anaesthetic machines which have both the guard and the analyser as this information was not required in either the safety notice or CMO/MDA joint letter.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

59871; 389 c1423W;389 c1420-1W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Health hazards Medical equipment Safety Oxygen Medical Devices Agency Anaesthetics

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk