OSE_1310_part3_Layout 1 10/7/13 10:33 AM Page 105
SAFETY
Charles Cowles, MD
Only You Can Prevent Surgical Fires
3 basic precautions will keep the flames from flying in your ORs.
onsider this
CONSTANT THREAT Fires can spark when elements of the fire triad
combine, even during seemingly minor procedures.
true-life case:
An 18-year-old
underwent minor
surgery to have a
mole removed from
his cheek. Although
he was in good
health and had no
comorbidities, the
anesthesia provider
opted to give supplemental oxygen with
a nasal cannula. As soon as the surgeon activated an electrocautery
device to stop bleeding at the operative site, a fire ignited that severely
burned the patient. The young man arrived for a minor procedure and
exited disfigured, requiring extensive reconstructive surgery. The
tragedy of it all: This OR fire could have been prevented if the surgical
team had adhered to these basic protocols.
C
Communicate clearly
A review of OR fire claims shows most are caused by a lack of
communication among the OR team. Surgeons are unaware of how
oxidizers are being administered by anesthesia providers, while anesthesia providers don't anticipate when surgeons are going to use ignition sources. All members of the surgical team must remain in constant communication when surgical energies are employed. Clear communication is also especially important during seemingly minor proce-
1
O C T O B E R 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
1 0 5
