Continuous monitoring of alveolar and inspiratory concentrations of anesthetic and respiratory gases is difficult and potentially unsafe.

Abstract

One essayist suggests that continuous monitoring of alveolar and inspiratory concentrations of anesthetic and respiratory gases has little or no positive effect on patient outcome and may even be detrimental to patients. Such monitoring, he says, tends to remove anesthesiologists from personal contact with their patients. He recommends careful monitoring of fresh gas concentrations leaving the anesthetic machine, careful monitoring of inspired gas in a circle absorption breathing system, and improved training of anesthesiologists to prevent human error. Another essayist suggests that continuous monitoring of alveolar and inspiratory concentrations of anesthetic and respiratory gases is cost-effective and relatively simple. He says that such monitoring, without being a source of legal problems for its users, improves the quality of patient care.