In our next article we will discuss Surgical Fire Prevention. Fortunately for our patients and us, most surgical fires can be prevented. Remember, surgical fires can be minor in nature but can have catastrophic consequences for the patient undergoing surgery.
Some of the items that we will be describing in this upcoming series of articles are:
· Patient on fire.
· Fire extinguishers.
· Laser fires.
· Fires outside the surgical setting but cause for concern.
· Post surgical fire investigation and reporting.
· Fire drills in the surgical setting.
· Developing a surgical fire plan.
· Oxygen enriched fires.
References:
· AORN Journal, September 2003. Clinical Issues.
· AORN Guidance Statement: Fire Prevention in the Operating Room.
· ASA Newsletter. Danger from OR fire still a serious problem.
· ECRI. Only You Can Prevent Surgical Fires.
· ECRI. Surgical Fires: perioperative communication is to prevent this rare but devastating complication.
· ECRI, Medical Device Safety Reports. The Patient is on Fire! A Surgical Fires Primer.
· ExxonMobil. Loss Prevention Tools Management System.
· Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Sentinel Event Alert: Preventing Surgical Fires.
· Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. 2005 Ambulatory Care National Patient Safety Goals.
· Kimberly-Clark Health Care Education. Fire Safety in the Operating Room, Strategies for Keeping It Safe.
· Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Health Care Quality Safety Alert: preventing operating room fires during surgery.
· MLMIC, Fire Safety in the OR.
· National Fire Protection Association. Structure Fires in Health Care Facilities, Excluding Nursing Homes.
· New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Mandatory Reporting Instructions, Forms & Updates.
· U.S. News & World Report, 2003. I’m on Fire.
· Valleylab, Institute of Clinical Education. Fire Prevention and Safety during Surgical Procedures.
