The Invisible Risk

An Invisible Risk exists in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), where patients are exhaling waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) into the breathing zone of their attending nurses.1 Although WAGs can be difficult to detect by odor, decades of research show that exposure to these hazardous gases is associated with serious health problems for caregivers. These problems may include headaches, drowsiness, liver or kidney disease, embryotoxicity, and cancer.2 Learn more


What are WAGs?

WAGs are the result of patients exhaling the anesthetic gas from their respiratory systems following an operation. While the anesthetic gas is only administered for one operation and is typically not harmful to a patient, the effects could be cumulative for PACU nurses who spend every day working within the post-op patient's breathing zone.1 Learn more


Reduce the risk with the ISO-Gard® Mask with ClearAir® Technology

The first of its kind, the ISO-Gard® Mask with ClearAir® Technology was developed by Teleflex in partnership with clinicians who identified the issue and wanted to take action. As a proven3 solution for source control of WAGs, the ClearAir® Technology of the ISO-Gard® Mask simultaneously delivers oxygen to patients and scavenges their exhalation to help limit exposure faced by clinicians. Learn More

References:

  1. McGlothlin JD, et al. Recognition, Evaluation and Control of Waste Anesthetic Gases in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. AIHA. 2021;1:1-20. https://aiha-assets.sfo2.digitaloceanspaces.com/AIHA/resources/White-Papers/Recognition-Evaluation-and-Control-of-Waste-Anesthetic-Gases-in-the-Post-Anesthesia-Care-Unit-White-Paper.pdf
  2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA Technical Manual (OTM) Section VI: Chapter 1. Hospital Investigations: Health Hazards. Washington, DC: United States Department of Labor, 1991. Accessed March 30, 2023. https://www.osha.gov/otm/section-6-health-care-facilities/chapter-1#app_vi:1
  3. Tallent R, et. al. Evaluation of a novel waste anaesthetic gas scavenger device for use during recovery from anaesthesia. Anaesthesia. 2018;73(1):59-64. Research sponsored in part by Teleflex, Inc.
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