Protocols for equipment checks: a routine ritual or a safety imperative?

Advanced medical equipment, such as anaesthesia workstations, ventilators, infusion pumps, and monitoring devices, is central to modern anaesthesia practice. Despite technological advances, equipment failure remains a significant contributor to perioperative complications. Standardized pre-anaesthesia equipment checks are widely recommended to identify potential risks before patient exposure. However, adherence to these protocols varies across institutions due to workflow constraints, time pressures, and reliance on automated self-checks. Evidence from audits and observational studies shows that structured equipment inspections and safety checklists significantly reduce avoidable anaesthesia-related events. This article explores whether these procedures are essential safety measures or routine practices and emphasizes the importance of standardized checklists, institutional audits, and a safety-focused culture in improving perioperative outcomes