A study of use of Low Flow Anaesthesia in our department at NHH.

Some background-
Former reservations against low flow anaesthesia are not justified any longer.
Definitions-
Metabolic flow = 250 ml/minMinimal flow = 250-500 ml/minLow flow = 500-1000 ml/minMedium flow = 1-2 l/minHigh flow = 2-4 l/min, Very high flow = > 4 l/min
LFA- recommended by authorities.

Advantages
Apart from other advantages of LFA, there is definite reduction in cost with the use of low flows.
According to 1994 study at Northwick Park Hospital, there was a proportional decrease in cost of inhalational agents used with reduction in flow rates.

Method of audit
A simple questionnaire, 5 questions.
Definition
What flow rates?
Why?
Which inhalational agents?
Nitrous oxide?

Results
Definition-
What Flow rates?
Why these flows?
Which agents?
N2O
Definition of LFA
Individual flows
Reasons for not using LFA
Inhalational Agents
Inhalational agents.
Awareness & Usage.

Summary
Third of us do definitely know and use LFA.
In general, more than half of us are not very familiar with the concept.
Those who think they use LFA- 40% of them don’t use LFA actually.
Third of us don’t understand the concept, 25% are not comfortable with it.

Recommendations
Use low flow, its definitely better than higher flow.
More teaching.
More training, discussions.
? Trainees.
Re-audit.
ALFA website.

THANK YOU.