Join us for Capno Week

Tackling the Global Capnography Gap

Move over Shark Week, Capno Week is here!

Lifebox and our partners Smile Train and the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists are bringing you an action packed week of online capnography content. Please join us as we work to close the capnography gap so that every anesthesia provider, no matter where they work, are equipped with this essential anesthesia monitoring device. Stay tuned for Capno Week coming to you 24-30 June.

These three organizations are urging health care systems and equipment standard guidelines, including those set by the World Health Organization (WHO) globally, to include a capnograph as an essential anesthesia monitor for safer surgery. Learn more.

CLOSING THE GLOBAL CAPNOGRAPHY GAP

This hour long event discussed next steps for addressing the lack of access to capnography worldwide by an expert panel chaired by Dr. Zipporah Gahuya. Watch the recording in either English | French | Spanish

Chair:
Dr. Zipporah Gathuya: The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, Smile Train Medical Advisory Board Member, Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists of Kenya Founder

Panelists:
Dr. Angela Enright: University of British Columbia, Canada, Lifebox Emeritus Trustee
Dr. Faye Evans: Boston Children’s Hospital, US, Lifebox GGC member, Smile Train Medical Advisory Board Member, WFSA Education Committee Chair
Dr. Carolina Haylock Loor: Honduras, WFSA President-elect
Dr. Elizabeth Igaga: Programs Safety Director, Smile Train
Dr. Mary Nabukenya: Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda, Vice President and President-elect Association of Anesthesiologists of Uganda

What is the Global Capnography Gap?

Capnography has been a staple in operating rooms in high-income countries for more than three decades. Its introduction in the United States in 1991 led to a dramatic decline in anesthesia-related complications and deaths. Yet, capnography remains largely unavailable across most low-resource-setting operating rooms, with research showing there is often a 100% gap between the need for capnography and its availability in low-income countries. Read about what this means for anesthesia providers having to work without this device.

What is the Smile Train-Lifebox Capnograph?

The Smile Train-Lifebox Capnograph is an affordable, user-friendly, high-quality device with sturdy construction and long battery life. The device meets robust specifications for the monitoring of both pediatric patients and use in low-resource settings. Launched by Smile Train and Lifebox in 2023, the two organizations are working to equip low-resource setting operating rooms with this essential device. Read more.

If you want to hear more, listen to the BBC World Service feature on Lifebox and Smile Train’s capnography work here.

How can I get involved?

Join us for our online event on Wednesday 26 June to hear a global panel of experts discuss addressing the global capnography gap
Share our Capnography Infographic with your networks, on social media or by email
$1000 puts a capnograph into an operating room currently lacking this device. Support anesthesia colleagues worldwide by making a donation today.
Sign up for our email updates to join our work making surgery safer for every patient, everywhere.
Get in touch to enquire about purchasing or receiving a Smile Train-Lifebox Capnograph

Online Smile Train-Lifebox Capnography Course

Lifebox and Smile Train want to thank our global network of partners – both organizations and individuals – including the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists, the Global Capnography Project, and to every anesthesia provider that contributed their knowledge, experience, and expertise in developing the Smile Train-Lifebox Capnograph. Thank you.