Getting Capnography to the Front Lines

Abstract

For most anesthesiologists working in HICs, capnography is an essential monitoring tool: They would not consider providing general anesthesia or sedation without it. Unfortunately, for many anesthesiologists working in LMICs, the reality is very different: capnography is simply not available. There is a wide capnography gap between countries with more resources and those with less. Oximetry has shown us that it is possible to narrow the gap with clear standard setting, development of a suitable device, identifying funding sources, finances, and a plan for education and distribution. For too long, the absence of appropriate technology has limited greater use of capnography in LMICs, but this situation has changed and we now have devices that are fit for purpose. Capnography is now within reach of all and it is time for capnography to be seen as an essential tool for patients everywhere, not just for patients lucky enough to live in well-resourced countries. It is time for the global anesthesiology community to close the capnography gap.