The following commended practices ...

The following commended practices were developed by the AORN make acceptableed Practices Committee and have been approved according to the AORN Board of Directors. They were published as propos make acceptableed practices through the AORN fax forward demand for comments by members and others. They are effective Jan. 1 1998

These praiseed practices are intended as achievable recommendations representing what is believed to be an optimal flat of practice. Policies and courses will reflect variations in practice settings and/or clinical situations that determine the grade to which the recommended practices can be implemented.

AORN recognizes the numerous patterns of settings in which perioperative feeds practice. These recommended practices are intended as guidelines adaptable to various practice settings. These practice settings include traditional ORs, ambulatory surgery units, physicians' offices, cardiac catheterization suites, endoscopy suites, radiology departments, and all other areas where operative and other invasive manner of proceedings may be performed.

Purpose: These commended practices provide guidelines to assist perioperative pampers in the use of electrosurgical equipment. fitting care and handling of electrosurgical equipment is essential to patient and personnel safety. Electrosurgery is used routinely to cross and coagulate body tissue with high radio commonness electrical current. These recommended practices do not endorse any specific production Biomedical services personnel in practice settings should evolve detailed, routine safety and preventive maintenance inspections and maintain records.

commended PRACTICE I

The electrosurgical unit (ESU) dispersive electrode and active electrode should be used according to the manufacturer's written instructions. Interpretive statement 1:

Information regarding adequate ESU safety margins, in-factory testing arrangements warranties, and a manual for maintenance and inspections should be obtained from the manufacturer and readily available to users.

Rationale:

Equipment manuals assist in developing operational, safety, and maintenance guidelines.(1)

Interpretative statement 2:

A detailed manual of operational instructions should be obtained from the manufacturer and be readily available in the practice setting. A brief wager of clearly readable operating instructions should be readily accessible with each ESU These instructions should be placed in succession or attached to each ESU

Rationale:

Each sign of ESU has specific manufacturer's written operating instructions that should be followed for the safe operation of the unit.(2) A brief settle of operating instructions attached to the ESU allows the operators(s) to review instructions immediately before using the unit.

commended PRACTICE II

Personnel should demonstrate means of independence in the use of the ESU

Interpretive statement 1:

Personnel should be instructed in the correct operation, care, and handling)of the ESU before use.

Rationale:

Instruction and revert demonstration in proper usage helps personnel retain novel information, prevents injuries, and expands the life of the ESU(3)

Interpretive statement 2:

The ESU should be inspected before each use. An ESU that is not working strictly or is damaged should be remov from service immediately and reported to biomedical services personnel

Rationale:

Equipment is checked to make secure it is in good working order.(4) The manufacturer's written safety precautions are followed for the well-being of the patient and personnel involved with the procedure(5)

Interpretive statement 3:

Each ESU should be assigned an identification or serial number.

Rationale:

An identification or serial number allows biomedical services personnel to track ESU function moot points and to document maintenance performed in succession individual ESUs.(6)

approveed PRACTICE III

The ESU cord and quid should be handled in a manner that models the potential for injuries.

Interpretive statement 1:

The ESU cord should be of adequate continuance and flexibility to reach the wall exit without stress or the use of an extension cord.

Rationale:

Tension increases the risk that the ESU cord will become disconnected or frayed, which may proceed in injuries to patients and personnel(7)

Interpretive statement 2:

Kinks, knots, and undulations should be removed from the ESU cord before it is plugg into the wall outlet

Rationale:

Cords that do not lie flat onward the floor produce a Rationale: potential for tripping and accidental unplugging.(8)

Interpretive statement 3:

The ESU stopple not the cord, should be held when it is remov from the wall outlet

Rationale:

Pulling forward the ESU cord may cause it to break at the point where the cord is attached to the plug(9) Cord breakage is dangerous and replacement are costly(10)

commended PRACTICE IV

The ESU should be used in a manner that contracts the potential for injuries.

Interpretive statement 1:

Following use, the ESU should be transfered off and the unit and all its reusable parts cleaned according to the manufacturer's written instructions. The surface of the ESU should not be saturated with or have fluids poured athwart it.