with surgical smoke. Surgical staff can file reports with the state if
their facilities aren't adopting or following these smoke evacuation
polices.
While we're proud to be the first smoke-free state, we're hoping our
story is only the beginning of a movement. It's our dream to see this
initiative spread across the country. Here are 5 lessons we learned
along the way that could help your state go smoke-free in the OR as
well.
1. Form a coalition
If you want to go smoke-free in your state, you can't do it alone. To
get through the legislative process, you'll need a big coalition of sup-
porters. This stretches beyond your perioperative nurses and your
professional nurses association. Do you have endorsements from your
state hospital association and your local medical society? What about
your state's physician assistants? Those groups have a strong voice
6 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A P R I L 2 0 1 9
• BREATHE EASIER Easy-to-use smoke evacuators can clear the air of the harmful chemicals, carcinogens, viruses and bacte-
ria that come with surgical smoke.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
