NITROUS OXIDE EQUIPMENT MONITORING/ MAINTENANCE …



NITROUS OXIDE/ EQUIPMENT MONITORING/ MAINTENANCE POLICY

Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic

1. Nitrous Oxide Policy (general)

✓ The attending dentist will decide the need for nitrous oxide administration based on the perceived anxiety and difficulty of the proposed treatment.

✓ Permission can be given orally by the parent or guardian or through our written general consent form when treating children brought in by Headstart.

✓ Pregnant dental personnel can not be chair-side during nitrous oxide administration

✓ All patient safety equipment required by the State of Washington must be present and in working order (see listing in YVFWC Protocols for the Administration of Conscious Sedation)

✓ All continuing education requirements for dental providers must be current as required by Washington law (see listing in YVFWC Protocols for the Administration of Conscious Sedation)

✓ Only the attending dentist or hygienist (under close supervisor) can start or adjust the flow of nitrous oxide.

✓ Patient monitoring equipment- no special monitoring equipment is required

✓ Nitrous oxide levels will be maintained at a level no higher than 50% Nitrous Oxide with 50% Oxygen.

✓ Nitrous oxide levels and time intervals must be recorded in the patient’s treatment record.

✓ A scavenger system will be used at all times nitrous oxide is administered.

2. Equipment monitoring/ maintenance

✓ All nitrous oxide delivery equipment including will be monitored as follows:

❑ Daily

▪ All connection are secular attached and properly working

▪ Nitrous/ oxygen level alarms are turned

▪ Inspection of hoses for any apparent tears or breaks

❑ Monthly

▪ Check for gas leaks using a soapy water solution

❑ Every Four Months

▪ Monitor nitrous oxide air levels at chair-side using the Nitrous Oxide Monitor Badges

▪ Monitor ambient nitrous oxide air levels using the Nitrous Oxide Monitor Badges

▪ record nitrous oxide levels in Nitrous Oxide Log

3. Procedure for high recorded levels of nitrous oxide

✓ Any levels outside of the Occupational Safety Standard level of 25ppm will be reported immediately to the dental director.

✓ The dental director will report the problem to the YVFWC Corporate Safety Officer

✓ A written report to include a plan of action to correct the situation will be made

✓ Corrective measures will be taken

✓ Nitrous Oxide gas levels will be re-monitored to check the effect of the plan of action

✓ Monitor process will repeat itself until levels are under control

N2O2MONITOR.doc MK Sept. 1999

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