1 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 9
T
he Joint Commission and the
National Fire Protection
Association guidelines say
flammable preps must be allowed
enough time to dry after application,
pooled solution must be wiped
away, and application supplies and
leftover solution must be removed
from the OR before procedures
begin. We heard rumblings that the
Joint Commission was dinging facili-
ties for failing to toss out used prep-
ping supplies, so our staff members
who apply alcohol-based preps now
toss the applicators, remaining solu-
tion and towels used to sop up pool-
ing solution into a clear plastic trash
bag set up next to the OR table. The
circulating nurse then ties up the
bag and places it in the hall, where a member of the environmental
services team comes by to scoop it up. The surgical team discusses
fire safety during the pre-op time and confirms that the bag contain-
ing the prepping supplies had been placed in the hallway.
Barney Clark, BSN, RN, CNOR
McClellan Memorial VA Medical Center
Little Rock, Ark.
george.clark2@va.gov
FIRE SAFETY
Toss Out Flammable Prepping Supplies
• TAKING OUT THE TRASH Fill a clear plastic bag with
used prepping materials and place it in the hall before
cases begin.
Trammele
Penn
