How to Prevent Surgical Fires in the Operating Room
Imagine the stress of having to undergo a major surgery. You are putting your life in the hands of medical professionals and are hoping they have the skill and knowledge to make you better. The last thing you are thinking about is a surgical fire.
Surgical fires are freak accidents that result in severe damage to the patient and the medical equipment. A surgical fire is exactly what it sounds like: a fire that ignites in the operation room. The fires are usually totally unexpected by the medical staff. However, with proper planning, surgical fires can be prevented.
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Instructions
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Put the surgeon in charge of the heat sources. Heat sources in the operating room comes from surgical lights and the power tools the surgeon uses. The surgeon, who is generally in direct contact with the heat sources, should ensure that these sources are not directed at any of the other fire-starters. Therefore, the surgeon should be wary of how hot a tool is getting and how close in proximity the tools are to the fuels and the oxygen in the room.
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Put the nurse in control of fuels. Fuels in an operating room can take the form of ointments used on the patient or alcohol used to disinfect the surgical area. Essentially, a fuel is anything that can burn. Nurses are usually in charge of applying ointments or rubbing alcohol on the patient. Therefore, the nurses should be wary of keeping these materials away from the heat sources listed above and the oxygen sources listed below.
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Put the anesthesiologist in charge of the oxidizers, such as the oxygen tanks and other gasses. In order for a fire to start, oxygen must be present along with heat and fuel. The anesthesiologist generally monitors the gasses the patient has been given and controls the flow of those gasses. It will be the anesthesiologist's job to ensure that the oxygen does not come into contact with fuel or the heat.
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Communicate every step of the surgery, even mundane steps, to the other members in the room. Once tasks have been assigned and each member of the surgery team knows what part of the fire triangle he must control, prevention will be possible as long as adequate communication occurs between the group. If you about to turn on a light that generates a lot of heat, tell the nurse and the anesthesiologist so that they can reduce the possibility of that fire starter coming into contact with fuel and oxygen.
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Examine the equipment to ensure it is working properly. Test everything before using it. If the tool the surgeon is using is known to overheat, do not use it; use a new one. Likewise, ensure that the valves on the gas tubes are working properly and not leaking.
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Tips & Warnings
Prevention begins with knowledge and a plan. If a fire breaks out, it is too late for prevention.
