Buying a new anesthesia machine requires an unusual assembly of people to approve the product, most of whom have never administered an anesthetic and have no idea how such a machine works. Such is the world of surgery today, where administrators and accountants wield as much purchasing influence as anesthesia providers and surgeons. But, hey, it never hurts to get a little perspective on capital equipment decisions. Depending on the options end users are allowed to tack on, a new anesthesia machine can cost anywhere from $30,000 to more than $150,000. (New machines will come with customer service at no additional cost, but an assortment of necessary add-ons and attachments can quickly inflate the take-home cost.)