Aseptic technique; transporting sterilized items; washing instruments in the scrub sink; airway fires - Clinical Issues

AORN Journal, August, 2002 by Ramona Conner

Approximately 100 surgical fires occur every year. Twenty percent of these fires result in severe injury or death." Understanding the fire triangle and how to manage its components, preparing for a rapid and appropriate response in the event of a fire, and ensuring vigilance on the part of all surgical team members will help prevent a fire and lessen the impact should one occur.

RAMONA CONNER
RN, MSN
PERIOPERATIVE NURSING SPECIALIST
AORN CENTER FOR NURSING PRACTICE

NOTES

(1.) M Meeker, J Rothrock, Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery, eleventh ed (St Louis: Mosby, 1999) 129.

(2.) Ibid, 140-141.

(3.) "Recommended practices for maintaining a sterile field," in Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines (Denver: AORN, Inc, 2002) 327.

(4.) "Surgical infection prevention: Medicare quality improvement project," Clinical Area Support Quality Improvement Organization, Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality, Inc, http://www.surgicalinfectionprevention.org/ (accessed 13 June 2002).

(5.) M Reichert, J H Young, Sterilization Technology for the Health Care

Facility, second ed (Gaithersburg, Md: Aspen Publishers, 1997) 169.

(6.) "Recommended practices for cleaning and caring for surgical instruments and powered equipment," in Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines (Denver: AORN, Inc, 2002) 267-268.

(7.) "Surgical fires in the OR," in Operating Room Risk Management (Plymouth Meeting, Pa: ECRI, July 1992) 1.

(8.) "Fire Safety in the OR," in Operating Room Risk Management (Plymouth Meeting, Pa: ECRI, July 1992) 5.

(9.) "Surgical fires in the OR," 3.

(10.) Ibid, 4.

(11.) P Moyer, "Operating room fires: How to prevent and minimize spread," Today's Surgical Nurse 20 (November/December 1998) 13.

At various times throughout the year, the Recommended Practices Committee seeks review and comments on proposed recommended practices from members and other interested individuals. When available, these proposed recommended practices appear on AORN Online at http://www.aorn.org. Interested individuals without access to the Internet may obtain copies of the proposed documents by calling Joyce Davis, Center for Nursing Practice, at (800) 755-2676 x 334. Proposed recommended practice documents are available for review and comment for a 30-day period after being posted. A deadline for comments will be indicated with each document. Please check the above sources frequently to locate proposed recommended practices. All comments received are considered as the document is finalized. Thank you for your participation,