Anesthesia Gas Making Me Tired in the OR???

TakeTwoAspirin, MSN, RN, APRN · Aug 15, 2009

With appropriate air exchanges in the room and competent technique by the anethesia provider, there should not be a build up on gasses in the room sufficient to affect the staff. In my years in the OR I have only felt the effects of gas once with one patient, and that was because the inflation cuff on the ET tube was apparently defective and did not inflate appropriately. Once the ET tube was changed, there was no gas leak and the procedure resumed.

I would go with your explanation for your fatigue! Honestly, if you have a known problem with it being a common occurance that gas is leaked sufficient to affect the staff then I would get the heck out of that facility because there is an enormous risk of fire/explosion at your facility (and frankly it should be reported to the authorities).

RedCell · Aug 15, 2009

I recently started in the OR. I was talking with a coworker today and talking about how tired I am some days when I go home. I just figured it's because it's a new job and I'm learning alot each day at work. She said no, it's because of the gas anesthesia uses in the rooms. She said she experiences it all the time.
On my drive home from work I have to fight falling asleep while I'm driving sometimes. When I get home some days, I can't let myself sit down or lay down for 10 minutes to rest or I'll fall asleep for a couple hours. I'm not sure it's really the gas affecting me. I just figured I'm adjusting to a new schedule and a new job etc.
Any thoughts on the anesthesia gas affecting the people who work in the OR rooms??

I think your friend is mistaken. The scavenger system on the anesthesia machine picks up waste anesthestic gas from the breathing circuit. OSHA actually mandates that employees be exposed to no more than 2ppm of halogenated agents (0.5ppm if used with nitrous) and no more than 25ppm of nitrous oxide. Again, the scavenger systems do a pretty good job of keeping to this standard. Even if there was a HUGE leak in the circuit, room circulation would remove most the agent. The highest concentration of inhalational agents is found around the anesthesia machine. I stand next to this thing everyday, haven't fallen asleep yet!

The only people affected by the anesthesia vapors and gas are the patients. If someone is constantly feeling fatigued with no obvious explanation they should follow up with their practitioner.

maeyken · Aug 16, 2009

The only time I've been affected by gas in the OR is when we're inducing kids by mask. As they go through the excitation phase they wiggle a lot and sometimes we get more of the gas than they do! haha not really but it seems that way sometimes!!

Once the circuit is hooked up, the machine takes care of the gasses (as explained above)

I am often tired after work, especially after working a 10h shift, or an evening shift. It's an exhausting job, especially when you first start! Your body should get used to it eventually! Just make sure you are getting a good night's sleep. :)

mcmike55 · Sep 2, 2009

Agree with the others on this, I suggest you look some where else for your fatigue.

I would bet you could leave an anes. machine on full blast in a closed OR all night, and not notice the next morning.

If your OR has the correct air flow rates, functioning waste gas scavenger systems, etc, there won't be enough build up to notice the next morning. (not to mention the vaporizer would be dry!)

We have a company come in on a routine basis with a "sniffer" type machine that monitors the atmosphere in our rooms. And we've never had an issue in my quarter century of working in the OR.

Like others, the only time I've ever taken a hit from Sevo or any of the other gases was when I was holding a child during induction. And then it was only a mild dizziness, that went away very quickly.

In fact, your co-workers in PACU are more exposed to off gasing that you are!

Let's face it, hard work, stress, long hours, etc, etc, etc is enough to make anyone tired!! Especially if you are new to the job! Hang in there

By the way, if you and others are concerned about gas in the air, check with your supervisor, maybe they have a periodic air check done. If not, maybe you all should consider it.

Mike