EBME Forums Forums Management Training Anaesthetic and Ventilation Training

sorry the only other thing i can think of go and find the most primitive machine and look at the changes through the years.

It's nice for me to be able to agree with someone (for a change), Leon!

Also, if a guy is a bit scared to have a go with an anaethesia machine, or ventilator ... there is another way. Get hold of an old, out of use, example of each, get some gas cylinders and then play to your heart's content! Such machines are available (ex-auction, etc.).

Next step (if the guy still lacks a bit of confidence), have a go at servicing similar equipment in veterinary surgeries. They tend to have older, simpler, machines ... and usage is not quite as critical (when compared to hospitals).

Stick the guys into theatre for a few days each to assist the ODA/ODP. They will learn very quickly how to test the machines for leaks and the use of the devices during the patient pathway.

After a couple of days they should have picked up the lingo and have a half decent idea of whether they are going to be able to toe the line.

Or, indeed, cut the mustard!

It's a good, practical suggestion, Joe. But my comment would have to be that some techs may not be able to stomach (at, shall we say, "close quarters") what goes on in operating theatres. But that doesn't mean that they won't be the business when it comes to servicing anaesthesia machines!

Some of us come this far (in our career) and it may not be any easier for someone new to the Operating Theatre environment to pick up something important (safety handling of the kit) and yet able to understand the basic principle of operation of the kit within a few days. I guess we have to think of the guy lying on the table. It will be good to follow someone who can mentor this new guy for a while and to have a basic understanding of the working principle of the kit though many older Anaesthesia System were by far simpler to work on.

Yes, I'm all for the mentoring approach. In fact, I believe that it is the best way.

But Dani's original post asked about training courses. As has already been mentioned, manufacturers' courses are always nice to have, but may or may not give the breadth (and depth) of knowledge hoped for. Far better, perhaps, to hang around with an experienced tech for a while (or at least as long as he can put up with a supernumerary). But, how to arrange such an attachment?

Meanwhile, yes "the guy on the table" is what it's all about!

Thank, our focus are along the same line.

How to arrange for such attachment? - don't we have a "on-the-job" training induction programme or at least a "buddy" system where a new guy follows an experience person for a specific period.

I may have followed this thread in a wrong manner? But Anesthetics systems are a specialty! I was not allowed near them until I completed manufacturer training for at least one of them! I appreciate that I was probably lucky but I also had a good boss who always secured funds from the trust to have his staff properly trained! I have since taken his example and never allow anyone TO SIGN OFF an AWS (or otherwise) unless they are certified competent! There is too much room for error!

Eddie (awaiting the shout back)

I do agree with Geoff though! A lot of medical equipment is NOT exactly rocket science and I have in the past given "newbies" the chance to strip one down and rebuild it (Old School). And worse case scenario, get the agent in afterwards to do a full PPM on the said equipment before re-issue!

Eddie

(here's the "shout back") ...

We were all newbies once, and a guy has to start somewhere!

On a personal note, I have never done a manufacturer's course on anaesthesia equipment (or ventilators) ... but that didn't prevent me from throwing an agent's so-called service engineer out on his a**** at ****** when I discovered that he didn't know what he was doing!

And I think I've already related the story of what we found when we took over the anaesthesia kit from BOC's local agent at BMH Hong Kong all those years ago.

No, Mate, rocket science it ain't. In fact it's nothing compared to most imaging equipment, or (more especially) lab kit. It's the circumstances of its use which makes people twitchy about anaesthesia equipment.

Anyway Eddie ... what's this, a new technique? Issuing your own rebuttal!