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L
ast June, Rhode Island became the
first state in the nation to mandate
the evacuation of surgical smoke
during plume-producing procedures
performed in hospitals and surgical
centers. Perioperative nurses around the country
celebrated the news and hoped their state would
be next to protect them from dangerous pollutants
that waft through the OR air. Why wait for state
legislators to force your hand when you already
have the authority to transform your ORs from
smoky dens to smoke-free work spaces?
Joann Ruff, BSN, CNOR | Garfield Heights, Ohio
5 Steps to Smoke-Free Surgery
Your staff will breathe a collective sigh of relief
when you clear the OR air of harmful contaminants.
• BUDGETARY HURDLE If dis-
posable electrocautery pens are
included in your surgical packs,
it could be difficult to justify
adding smoke evacuators.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
