Preventive Maintenance, Leak Testing and Compliance

This course provides a comprehensive overview of routine service and compliance requirements for anesthesia workstations. Students will master scheduled preventive maintenance procedures, including performing critical low-pressure, high-pressure, and negative pressure leak tests. Practical skills will be developed in verifying vaporizer output accuracy using a calibrated agent analyzer, along with proper calibration techniques for gas flow and oxygen sensors. The curriculum also covers essential electrical safety testing, pre-use checkout procedures performed before the first case of the day, and understanding critical parts and consumable replacement intervals. Emphasis is placed on systematic failure investigation, accurate reporting, and meticulous documentation practices, including work order management and maintaining audit-ready records to ensure departmental compliance and patient safety.

InstructorPatrick Powers

Prerequisites

ANE 110

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Anesthesia Workstation Fundamentals and Safety Overviewlecture

02Scheduled Preventive Maintenance Procedureslecture

03High-Pressure System Leak Testinglecture

04Low-Pressure System and Patient Circuit Leak Testinglab

05Vaporizer Theory and Output Verificationlecture

06Gas Flow and Oxygen Sensor Calibrationlecture

07Electrical Safety Testing and Compliancelecture

08Midterm Review and Applied Practicelab

09Pre-Use Checkout Procedures and Functional Verificationlecture

10Parts, Consumables, and Replacement Intervalslecture

11Failure Investigation and Root Cause Analysislecture

12Work Order Management and Service Documentationlab

13Regulatory Compliance and Survey Readinesslecture

14Anesthesia Workstation Capstone Service Projectassignment

Syllabus

Course Objectives:
1. Perform scheduled preventive maintenance procedures on anesthesia workstations according to established protocols.
2. Accurately execute and interpret the results of low-pressure, high-pressure, and negative pressure leak tests on anesthesia workstations.
3. Calibrate and verify the output of agent vaporizers, flow sensors, and oxygen sensors using appropriate test equipment.
4. Conduct comprehensive electrical safety tests on anesthesia workstations and interpret the results against regulatory standards.
5. Apply systematic investigation techniques to identify failures, perform corrective actions, and complete required documentation for anesthesia workstations.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in performing daily checkout procedures and maintaining accurate service records for anesthesia workstations.

Grading: Your final grade will be determined by a combination of knowledge checks (10%), assignments and labs (30%), quizzes (25%), and a comprehensive final exam (35%). All components are designed to assess your practical and theoretical understanding of anesthesia workstation service.

Required Equipment Familiarity: Students are expected to become proficient in the use of various diagnostic tools, including multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, gas flow analyzers, agent analyzers, pressure gauges, and specialized leak testing equipment pertinent to anesthesia workstations. Familiarity with digital service manuals and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) is also essential.