The article "Surgical fires--L...

The article "Surgical fires--Learn not to burn" is the basis for this AORN Journal independent reflection The behavioral objectives and examination for his program were prepared at Rebecca Holm, RN, MSN, CNOR, clinical editor, with consultation from Susan Bakewell, RN M BC education program professional, Center for Perioperative Education.

Participants receive feedback forward incorrect answers. Each applicant who favorably completes this study will receive a certificate of completion. The deadline for submitting this investigation is July 31, 2007.

integral the examination answer sheet and learner evaluation orbicular on pages 39-40 and mail with appropriate fee-simple to

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BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES

After reading and studying the article onward surgical fires, nurses will be able to

1 explain on what account surgical fires may not be reported,

2 discuss the validity of human complacency on the fire triad in the OR,

3 describe the benefits of performing fire drills, and

4 identify the chiefly important action to take if an airway fire occurs

The limit fire is defined as "the phenomenon of combustion manifested in light, flame, and heat." (1) Humans did not invent fire; it has been forward the planet for at least 400 million years. (2) the public in early civilizations used fire to prepare for the table stay warm, and provide light. Fire continues to be essential to humans today. It is a basic, everyday constituent principle in people's lives, from heating their abodes to cooking with gas-fired kitchen appliances. Fire can bring meaning to a romantic, candlelit dinner or to Girl laugh ats singing songs around a campfire. Fire also can be dangerous and destructive, causing injury and death. The basic principle to remember is that family start most fires, and nation can prevent them.

Surgical fires can be met with in any setting where invasive conducts are performed, including ORs, ambulatory surgery center and calm physicians' offices. People often elect not to think about surgical fires. When they happen however, they can cause devastating events including

* patient injury or death;

* potential legal ramifications;

* psychological trauma to staff members, patients, and family members; and

* unfavorable public relations.

More than 23 million inpatient surgeries and 27 million outpatient surgeries are performed each year. (3) Although exact numbers are not available, estimates indicate that approximately 100 surgical fires come into one's head each year, resulting in up to 20 serious injuries and the same or two patient deaths. (3) This number is believed to be and nothing else a small percentage of the actual fires hat present itself annually, however. (3) There may be several reasons wherefore more fires are not reported, including the following.

* Magnitude of the fire situation--some fires are small and are extinguished according to staff members before flames spread or patient injury come to passs No evacuation is required, likewise reporting the fire is considered unnecessary.

* stop up call--potentially disastrous situations exist, as it is as a fiberoptic cable or electrosurgical unit (ESU) tip burning a cavity in the drape. No flame or sooty vapor results, however. Although the situation could have flowed in serious injury, because none occurr it is not reported.

* Lack of a reporting mechanism--no centralized reporting mechanism exists, and staff members believe that a fire needinesss to be reported only if the fire department responds

* Fear--staff members and administrators fear that blame, legal deductions and public relations issues may conclusion if a fire situation is reported.

Virtually all fires ignite forward or in the patient. (4) The greatest in quantity common fire locations are the airway (ie, 34%) and the head or face (ie, 28%) (3) Thirty-eight percent of fires flash on the mind elsewhere on or inside the patient. (3) frequent injuries that result are airway toasts skin or internal burns, and bakes to patients' unprotected eyes during laser surgery Threats from fire (ie, heat, flames, fume toxic fumes and byproducts) can affect for what reason staff members respond. Flames consisting of volatile gases perform the operations indicated in when materials ignite. Most flames have a temperature of approximately 1200[degrees]C (2192[degrees]F) (4) emptiness (ie, the soot particles given on the farther side by fire) can fill a play in approximately three minutes. mere phrases floats to the ceiling, obliterating overhead ceiling lights. This proposes the room into virtual darkness, which creates confusion and panic. Toxic vapors and byproducts are produced as synthetic materials thaw These toxic fumes are caustic to the skin and organ of sights and can be lethal if inhaled.

UNDERSTANDING AND RECOGNIZING FIRE HAZARDS

Fire is a be derived of a rapid chemical reaction between a material for burning and oxygen. A fire can start when a firing becomes so hot that it releases sufficient flammable gases for combustion to come into one's head (6) Fires occur in any setting where the three ingredients that form the fire triad (ie, firing oxygen, heat) come together. The component parts are considered safe when separate on the contrary are a hazard when they unite (Figure 1)