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Potential dangers of surgical smoke
Exposure to surgical smoke can cause both acute and chronic health effects ranging from eye, nose and throat irritation to emphysema, asthma and chronic bronchitis.2,3
Tune into Let's Change the Air to hear from leading smoke evacuation advocates
“When you say surgical smoke, I think potential workplace safety issue. Nurses need clean air because we are human beings.”
— Kay Ball, PhD, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, FAAN
Flexibility to improve smoke evacuation in the OR
Commonly used tools may not be effective in clearing smoke from the OR. Wall suction, for example, may be ineffective at removing smoke directly where it is generated, and surgical masks do not filter many substances from surgical smoke. Different smoke evacuation methods are necessary to improve safety in the OR.4,5
Live and Virtual Programs for OR Smoke Evacuation
Ethicon offers three Continuing Education courses that credentialed Ethicon representatives deliver to your staff, FREE. Each course is certified by the California Board of Nursing for one contact hour.
Course 1 – Basics of Electrosurgery 2
Course 2 – Preventing Surgical Fires
Course 3 – Understanding Surgical Smoke Plume
Change is in the (OR) Air with Ethicon
Surgical smoke carries harmful toxins. Exposure to these toxins has been linked to both acute and chronic health effects.3
Devices may capture up to 99% of smoke when placed one inch from the source.7
A Smoke Evacuation Success Story
Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital reached 93% smoke evacuation compliance after just four months.
Learn the steps that Tiffany Tscherne, HFWH Regional Director for Surgical Services and Trauma, took to accomplish this for her facility.
1. Memon AG, Naeem Z, Zaman A, Zahid F (2016) Occupational health related concerns among surgeons. Int J Health Sci 10 (2): 279-291.
2. Okoshi K, Kobayashi K, Kinoshita K, Tomizawa Y, Hasegawa S et al. (2015) Health risks associated with exposure to surgical smoke for surgeons and operation room personnel. Surg Today 45 (8): 957-965.
3. Prevention CfDCa (Web Page) NIOSH Study finds Healthcare Workers’ Exposure to Surgical Smoke Still Common. Updated November 3, 2015. Available online at: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-11-03-15.html. Accessed: November 5, 2018
4. Hill DS, O’Neill JK, Powell RJ, Oliver DW (2012) Surgical smoke - a health hazard in the operating theatre: a study to quantify exposure and a survey of the use of smoke extractor systems in UK plastic surgery units. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 65 (7): 911-916.
5. Ulmer BC (2008) The hazards of surgical smoke. AORN J 87 (4): 721-734; quiz 735-728.
6. Per Instructions for Use
7. Schultz L (2014) An analysis of surgical smoke plume components, capture, and evacuation. AORN journal 99 (2): 289-298.