Since initiating this movement, we have almost entirely eliminated
surgical smoke in our ORs. Not only do I now have a healthy baby
girl, but I know I can continue my own journey of health, free from
surgical smoke. But hundreds of thousands of people are unprotected
— there's still work to be done.
Golden State's golden opportunity
The California legislature passed bills in 2016 and 2017 to mandate
surgical smoke evacuation, but the governor vetoed both. In just a
few months, when a new governor takes office, reform will have a
second chance. Regardless of who wins this month's election, I hope
he works to ensure safe working environments for the tens of thou-
sands of California workers endangered by surgical smoke.
In June, Rhode Island became the first U.S. state to require all hospi-
tals and ambulatory surgical facilities to use a smoke evacuation system
for procedures that generate plume (osmag.net/uv6CNK). California
should be the vanguard of safety for the nation. We were the first state
to ban smoking in public spaces, but we are now falling behind in the
battle for public health. The time has come for our government to ban
surgical smoke — not only for those of us who work in surgery, but for
future generations.
But don't hold your breath waiting for lawmakers to mandate
smoke-free ORs. You have the power to clear the air in your facility.
OSM
Ms. Casanave (casanave23@aol.com), a former cast member on MTV's "Real
World" and "The Challenge," is a circulating nurse in outpatient surgery at
Kaiser Permanente in San Jose, Calif.
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