Browsing by Author "Fear, David"
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Item Boiling Water Disinfectors(VSO, 1995) Fear, David; Skeet, MurielThe boiling water disinfector consists of a metal box with a closely fitting lid; in some cases a gasket is fitted between the box and the lid. The water vapour should pass without obstruction via the lid. Inside, the disinfector has a perforated tray which is positioned to allow the water to circulate. The tray may be fitted with removable handles to take it out. Some models of disinfectors are equipped with a handle-operated mechanism for lifting the tray out of the water. The disinfector stands on four small feet allowing air to circulate around it and preventing damage to the underlying surface. Heating can be provided by electricity, a paraffin stove or any other heat source. In the electric models, heat is generated by an electric heating element, either of the immersion or the panel type.Item BOTTLED MEDICAL OXYGEN AND OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidBottled oxygen is supplied under pressure in specially designed steel cylinders of varying sizes. British Standard oxygen bottles range in capacity from 170 litres to 6800 litres.Item Care and Safe Use of Hospital Equipment(VSO, 1998) Fear, David; Skeet, MurielItem Checking Power Supplies, Plugs, and Spares(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidThis article describes how to troubleshoot and test power supplies, sockets, and plugs.Item Disinfection and Sterilisation of Medical Supplies and Equipment(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidDisinfection is recommended for equipment that is not intended for piercing the skin, or touching open wounds. Disinfected equipment may safely be in contact with the intact skin and mucous membranes of the body. Equipment which is to be disinfected includes items such as linen, bedpans, crockery, instruments, tongue depressors, etc. Sterilisation is recommended for all items penetrating the skin or which will be in contact with broken skin and mucous membranes or entering otherwise sterile body areas. This includes equipment such as surgical instruments, implants, dressings, gowns, catheters, wound irrigation fluids, syringes, needles and other items which may pierce the skin or be in contact with open wounds.Item Electrical Suction Apparatus(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidThere are several types of suction machine. According to the design, different flow rates and different pressures - high, low or dual - can be attained. It is important to read and understand the relevant documentation for the machine you are using. For example some machines are designed to function for only 1 to 2 hours at a time and will be seriously damaged if they are run continuously over a longer period. These are labelled ‘Int’, which means they are for intermittent use only. Each model will have a pump which may be driven either electrically or by hand. This, under carefully controlled conditions, draws fluid from the patient, through a flexible tube, into a glass reservoir jar (Figure 36). To prevent fluids passing back to the pump, a float valve (F) rises until a predetermined fluid level is reached. It then closes off the suction.Item GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF MAINTAINING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT(2006) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidIf it is misused or poorly maintained, electrical equipment can be the cause of death and fire. If it is well maintained, electrical equipment can save life, improve the quality of lives and reduce capital expenditure. Electrical equipment should always be treated with respect. Manufacturer’s instructions must be provided with every piece of equipment; if they are missing, contact the supplier.Item Incubators for Babies(1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidThe general principle is that air is processed before it reaches the baby (Figure 43). An electric fan draws room air through a bacterial filter which removes dust and bacteria. The filtered air flows over an electric heating element. The filtered and heated air then passes over a water tank where it is moistened. It then flows on to the incubator canopy. The incubator canopy is slightly pressurised. This allows expired carbon dioxide to pass back into the room via the vent holes and most of the air to be recirculated. It also prevents unfiltered air entering the system.Item Management of Maintenance(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidThe breakdown of a piece of equipment is inconvenient to us and can put our patients’ lives at risk. The result is frustration and stress. Sometimes a breakdown is inevitable or a repair is delayed because a spare part is not available or an expert is required to identify and repair the fault.Item Operating Room Lamps(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidA fixed theatre lamp is suspended from the ceiling of an operating theatre or treatment room, directly over the centre of the table. It can be positioned by moving the lamp head and its outreach arm (Figure 38). It has at least four units which produce a very high level of light without shadow. Usually the light is produced by high intensity tungsten halogen bulbs which are similar to the headlight bulbs of motor cars. Voltage of these bulbs varies depending upon the design but it is either 12 or 24 volts AC or 12 or 24 volts DC. This is a safety measure to prevent electric shocks. At the back of the lamp there is a polished metal reflector whiItem Refrigerators: Care and Safe Use of Medical Equipment(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidA refrigerator consists of a heavily insulated cabinet with an efficient door seal which prevents heat from the outside entering the cabinet. The temperature inside a refrigerator is kept low by a closed coiled circuit of copper tubing filled with a ‘refrigerant gas’. This ‘refrigerant gas’ absorbs heat which is then discharged at the back of the refrigerator as room air passes over a closed network of copper tubing. This is the condenser.Item Theatre Equipment: Operating Tables(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidAn operating table has several features which allow the surgical team to position the patient as required (Figure 35). As there are many models, the following information is presented as a general guide only.Item Vacuum Extractors(VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, DavidThe selected suction cap is placed on the baby’s head when it appears. The screw valve on the vacuum pump is closed and the pump is pumped by hand until a vacuum is created. The level of this is indicated on the vacuum gauge. The suction cap becomes attached to the baby’s head. The traction chain and handle are used to gently draw the baby from the uterus. When the baby is delivered, the screw valve is opened. Air flows in and breaks the vacuum. The baby is released.