Monday, August 22, 2011

Waste Gas Testing

What is the recommended regularity of testing for waste gas in Operating Rooms?

Below are The Joint Commission requirements - no monitoring/testing frequencies provided. Per the OSHA website, they do not specifically address anesthetic waste gases, just guidelines where they recommend air sampling at least every six months. You may want to check with your state department of health to see if they might have any requirements. Beyond that, my recommendation is to perform a risk assessment on this subject, set your own guidelines according to published or government recommendations, develop your policies & procedures accordingly, and monitor the effectiveness of your P&Ps over a period of time to determine the effectiveness of your actions.

The Joint Commission
Standard EC.02.02.01:
The [organization] manages risks related to hazardous materials and waste.

EP 9: The hospital minimizes risks associated with selection, handling, storage, transport, use, and disposing hazardous gases and vapors.
Note: Hazardous gases and vapors include, but are not limited to, glutaraldehyde, ethylene oxide, vapors generated while using cauterizing
equipment and lasers, and gases such as nitrous oxide.

EP 10: The hospital monitors levels of hazardous gases and vapors to determine that they are in safe range.
Note: Law and regulation determine the frequency of monitoring hazardous gases and vapors as well as acceptable ranges.

OSHA:
OSHA standards do not specifically address waste anesthetic gases.

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