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pital administrators, surgeons and surgical team members work together. All
parties need to be educated on the hazards associated with surgical smoke and
how the use of smoke evacuators can minimize potential exposures. They also
need to work with the hospital's health and safety staff to ensure evacuation
devices are properly used. It's also important to monitor the latest research
associated with surgical smoke and smoke evacuator devices. Regular training
needs to be conducted to inform all stakeholders of the research developments
in this field. Simple-to-follow protocols need to be drafted and maintained.
While waiting for the scientific evidence to build, take all the precautionary
steps necessary to avoid the inhalation of surgical smoke and to ensure the
protection of healthcare workers and their patients.
OSM
Dr. Benson (stacey.benson@cardno.com) is a health scientist in the
natural resources and health sciences division of Cardo ChemRisk, a
scientific consulting firm in Pittsburgh, Pa. She's also on the clinical
advisory committee of the International Council on Surgical Plume.
The
article's
references
can
be
found
at
outpatientsurgery.net/forms.
