A SURVEY OF OPERATING-THEATER AND RECOVER Y ROOM VENTILATORS AND MONITORS AND THEIR MAINTENANCE

Objective: To survey the monitoring and anaesthetic devices available in a sample of french hospitals and the modalities of their maintenanc e. Study design and method Survey carried out in 21 private and public hospitals (including eight university hospitals), affilated to the Fr ench Association for Research in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care (ARAR) . Results: More than 84% of all operating theaters were equipped with at least an ECG, a SpO(2), and a non invasive blood pressure monitor. The non equipped anaesthesia sites were mainly delivery rooms, plaster cast rooms and X-ray rooms. The figure of recovery room beds was, gen erally speaking in accordance with the French recommendations. Mainten ance policy was not systematic and not budgeted in 72% of the surveyed centres. Conclusion: The equipment in most anesthetic sites has signi ficantly increased, however maintenance policy remains still heterogen ous.