Hamilton.
Just the week before, the surgery center had decided to place 3
small water mist extinguishers in each of its 3 ORs for use in a surgi-
cal fire. Water is safer than powder to extinguish a fire on a patient,
plus it's not as messy, especially if there's an open incision, says Ms.
Hamilton.
"When you talk about fires in the OR, you talk about the patient
catching fire. Everybody's face was the same: just shock. You don't
ever think this is going to happen," says Ms. Hamilton. "Everybody
responded very well. I'm really proud of everybody. They all kept their
wits about them."
Staff turned the anesthetic gases off in the room and called 911.
They considered pulling the fire alarms at end of the hallway and
evacuating the 3-OR facility, but didn't.
OSM
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