and carcinogens, and
bacteria and viruses.
That breathing it in
during a day of sur-
gery is like smoking
more than a pack of
cigarettes. Perhaps
one of your colleagues
who works in smoke-
filled ORs has experi-
enced eye, lung and
throat irritation, or
developed asthma-like
symptoms.
Like Melony Prince, MSN, BSN, RN, CNOR, you might even know
someone who's suffering from a far greater smoke-related health con-
dition. The clinical educator at Littleton (Colo.) Adventist Hospital
works with a nurse who has human papillomavirus (HPV) lesions
growing in her nose and throat. Yes, the nurse contracted the most
common sexually transmitted infection among men and women due
to repeated exposure to surgical smoke.
"She's had 3 operations to treat the condition," says Ms. Prince. "I've
recommended she seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona,
because physicians there believe surgical plume is causing health
problems among perioperative workers."
Lawmakers across the country are also beginning to take notice of
the mounting evidence linking surgical smoke exposure to serious
staff harm, thanks to grassroots mobilization by frontline nurse advo-
cates and AORN's lobbying efforts. Mandatory smoke evacuation laws
have already been passed in Rhode Island and Colorado, and progress
D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 5
• RAISING AWARENESS Educate surgical team members about the risks of daily
exposure to surgical smoke and the devices available to protect them from harm.
