0 Item(s)
Evacuate Surgical Smoke: Everyone Has a Right to Clean Air
Keyword(s)
1322-2022, eBook, I.C. Medical, nurse, NCCT, surgery, operating room, OR, perioperative, inpatient, ambulatory surgical center, ASC, outpatient, nurse, surgical technologist, surgical smoke, smoke evacuation system, surgical plume, toxic chemicals, electrosurgery, electrosurgery unit, ESU, smoke energy generating device, clean air, lasers, powered instruments, vaporize tissue, gaseous byproducts, volatile organic compounds, VOC
Credits
CA:2.0, NCCT:2.0
Description
All patients and members of the perioperative team deserve to be protected from the byproducts of surgical smoke and the potential complications that can follow. The decision about whether to evacuate surgical smoke is often left up to the surgeon’s discretion. But consistently using smoke evacuation equipment in the perioperative environment creates a safer environment for all.
This continuing education activity will present the harmful effects of surgical smoke as well as the benefits of using a surgical smoke evacuation system. Safety guidelines promulgated by regulatory agencies and professional associations will be discussed. Characteristics of an ideal smoke evacuation system will be identified so that members of the perioperative team can apply their knowledge during the product selection process to break down barriers for using smoke evacuation systems and improve compliance with safety guidelines. Note that describing personal protective equipment (eg, respiratory protection from fit tested surgical N95 respirator) is beyond the scope of this program.