Review and Application of a Systematic Process for Evaluating and Minimizing Waste Anesthetic Gas Exposures (1h 50m Learning Lab Tabletop/Group Exercise)

Anesthetic gases are used in medical, dental and veterinary facilities.

Assessment of exposures to Waste Anesthetic Gases (WAG) is a complex process that requires ventilation measurements, assessment of work practices, correct anesthesia equipment setup and maintenance, selection of proper measurement techniques, and accurate interpretation of the resulting data. A standardized, systematic method will be presented in which course participants learn to evaluate previous assessments, or to conduct their own assessment with or without prior data. The group exercise will consist of six contiguous blocks: background (no exercise), pre-survey assessment, ventilation and worksite survey, data collection, data interpretation, and hazard mitigation/other follow-up actions.  Participants who complete the exercises will be able to use the course materials to evaluate previous assessments, and can either supervise or conduct assessments of exposures to Waste Anesthetic Gases.