When should anesthetic gases be turned off?

Turning off anesthetic gases after the last patient ensures that all safety protocols are followed. Maintaining a controlled environment with anesthesia allows for proper management of any residual effects for the patient who has just completed their procedure. By keeping the gases in use until the end of the last patient's treatment, it ensures that they are optimally monitored and cared for until they are safely passed to recovery.

Shutting off anesthetic gases immediately after a procedure could lead to complications or inadequate monitoring for the last patient, who may still need support. Turning them off when the monitoring equipment fails could result in dangerous situations, as the patient's condition might not be adequately assessed. Likewise, turning off the gases before the patient enters recovery could leave the patient in an unsafe state, potentially prolonging their recovery or leading to complications. Thus, the most prudent approach is to wait until all procedures are complete and the last patient has been cared for appropriately.