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The Machine That Could Replace Anesthesiologists

posted by CoolHand on Wednesday May 13 2015, @10:33PM   Printer-friendly
from the machines-replacing-the-very-skilled-laborer dept.

AnonTechie writes:

Say hello to the hunk of plastic that could replace your anesthesiologist. Right now, only four U.S. hospitals are using the Sedasys anesthesiology machine to sedate patients before surgery. Johnson & Johnson has been cautiously rolling out the machine after winning approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 2013. The FDA originally rejected the machine in 2010, but later approved after Johnson & Johnson agreed it would only be used for simple screenings--like colonoscopies or endoscopies--and only when an anesthesiology doctor or nurse was on-call.

The machine administers a measured dose of propofol to the patient, and the drug acts quickly. To keep patients safe, the machine is programmed with conservative parameters. Even the slightest problem--for example, if the patient has low blood oxygen or a slow heart rate--slows or stops the drug's infusion. According to the Washington Post, the machine has stricter limits than a human anesthesiologist would have.

http://www.popsci.com/meet-machine-could-replace-anesthesiologists

 
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  • (Score: 2) by kaszz on Wednesday May 13 2015, @11:23PM

    by kaszz (4211) on Wednesday May 13 2015, @11:23PM (#182702) Journal

    The control program has encountered and illegal condition. The patient will be terminated. Press any key to try another patient.

    FDA = Federal "Donation" Acceptance ;-)

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  
    Total Score:   2  

  • (Score: 2) by davester666 on Monday May 18 2015, @06:33AM

    by davester666 (155) on Monday May 18 2015, @06:33AM (#184372)

    I swear I remember there being a "restart" option...

    • (Score: 2) by kaszz on Monday May 18 2015, @06:38AM

      by kaszz (4211) on Monday May 18 2015, @06:38AM (#184376) Journal

      You missed the install option with "genuine support call of infinite length" ;-)