The equipment that is chosen for an electrosurgical procedure is very important. A generator should be reliable, easy to set up and provide the surgical effect that satisfies the surgeon.
One of the pieces of equipment that is absolutely necessary for this type of surgical procedure is the generator. The generator is responsible for the output of electrical energy to the electrical pen that is used for desiccation, fulguration, and cutting during the operation.
When selecting a generator model, there are several design elements that you will want to look for and keep in mind. The first thing you need to look for is a generator designed with a large display.
In the operation room, you will want to make sure that you can easily read what the display says even on the opposite side of the room. In addition, if the room is dim, you need to be able to read it then as well.
You will also want to look for a generator that is placed on a cart that is designed to resist tipping over. It would be a serious inconvenience if a generator tipped over on the cart during a case.
A back up generator would most likely need to be located, brought to the room and set up for use. In the time constraints of a surgery you do not want to have to deal with rushing in another generator and hooking everything up again.
Even if you are not in surgery and the generator tips over, the fall could damage the accuracy of the generator. Later, the generator may be set up to be used in an operation only for the surgeon to find out that it is broken.
Again, another generator would have to be brought in. Generators are expensive and you do not want to have to purchase them more than you have too.
Make sure that you protect your patient's safety as well as yours by purchasing a generator that is protected against becoming damaged through a fall due to an unstable cart. The next thing you will want to look for in a generator is how accommodating it is to a variety of surgical tools and instruments.
Be sure to perform some extensive research before you make a purchase in order to see how many different kinds of accessories can hook up to it. The more tools that can be hooked up to it the better as tools are constantly being changed and improved.
Likewise, the hospital is probably stocked with several older designs of accessories that may need to be thrown away if a newly purchased unit will not function with the older tools. As you continue your research on a generator, you will also want to take a look at its safety features.
The safety features are critical to your personal safety, the safety of the staff, and most importantly, the safety of the patient. You will want to make sure that the warning sounds and signs that are given off by the generator are loud and very clearly seen.
During an operation you will be intent on your task and you may not see a flashing warning light unless it is very large and bright and loud. When there is a danger presented to your patient, you need to know right away and not when you happen to notice the alarm.
You will also need the labels on the machine to be clear and legible. Make sure that the words on the buttons of the machine do not rub off with age.
It is likely that the generator will be used often and for a long time before it is retired. However, it will be used for a much shorter time if the staff cannot read the buttons in order to use it properly.
Make sure that there is a patient return electrode alarm that monitors the patient return electrode. The placement of the pad is critical to avoiding patient burns and to the proper use of the electrical equipment.
It is very important that it is properly monitored as well. Perhaps one of the most critical elements of the generator is that the power readings are accurate.
The proper amount of power based on the generator setting must be applied to the patient through the electrical pen so the surgeon will receive a consistent effect from generator to generator. The safety features of the generator are one of the most important elements in your choice of new equipment.
Author Resource:-
Tommy Greene has worked in surgical equipment sales for the past 15 years. He has great advice and information on Electrosurgical units.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.massagebyben.com/articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites 