| Technology plays a very large role in any anesthetic safety program. In-depth
monitoring equipment is at the heart of our safety technology. There are no
anesthetics that are perfectly tolerated by all patients. Anesthetic
complications almost always start as small deviations from normal. Early
detection and prompt correction of these deviations is how we consistently
achieve a safe final outcome. There is no single monitor that covers all of the
important issues facing an anesthetized patient. Complete, thorough monitoring
requires a group of monitors, each specialized in a critical element of
anesthetic safety. We have invested in 3 ECG Heart Monitors to assess heart rate and rhythm,
3 Pulse Oximeters to measure the blood’s oxygen levels, 3 Respiratory Monitors to monitor the respiratory rate,
4 Blood Pressure Monitors to
monitor the patient’s blood pressure, and a sophisticated End Tidal Carbon Dioxide
Ventilation Monitor. This
level of equipmentation is normally found only at veterinary colleges. Most
animals anesthetized in private practice today are lucky to have one
monitor in place. Our anesthetic protocols call for every patient to have Respiratory, Pulse Oximeter, ECG, and
Blood Pressure Monitors regardless of the age of the patient or the procedure
being performed. |
