TheatrePracticeStandardsGeneric1
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Generic Theatre Standard No 10 - Fire Prevention<br />
Fire Prevention in the Operating Theatre Environment<br />
• Fire Precautions<br />
Fire Safety Policy<br />
• Potential fire hazards<br />
• Alcohol skin prep<br />
• Monopolar Surgery<br />
• Head and Neck Procedures<br />
• Laser Safety<br />
• Management of Airway Fire<br />
• Fibreoptic light cables or sources<br />
• Alcohol skin preparation<br />
• Alcohol-based skin preparations are known to be flammable.<br />
• Risk Assessment must be undertaken for their use and application. Alcohol-based skin<br />
preparations can be absorbed into body hair or can pool on the body surface. If drapes<br />
are applied before the preparation has dried the vapour can accumulate.<br />
Alcohol flames are difficult to see under the operating lights!<br />
• The quantity of flammable fluid used to prepare the skin should be kept to a minimum<br />
in order to avoid run-off and pooling, either on or around the patient. Precautions<br />
should be taken to prevent pooling underneath drapes or in the patient’s umbilicus.<br />
• Any run-off that occurs must be contained by absorbent material placed around the<br />
patient, which is removed before the drapes are applied.<br />
• Time must be allowed for the alcohol to evaporate and disperse prior to applying the<br />
drapes.<br />
• Care must be taken in using sprays with flammable propellants such as butane when<br />
electrosurgery is planned.<br />
• Monopolar electrosurgery<br />
• In monopolar electrosurgery, the active electrode is in the surgical site. The patient<br />
return electrode is somewhere else on the patient’s body. The current passes through<br />
the patient as it completes the circuit from the active electrode to the patient return<br />
electrode.<br />
• Electrosurgery units use a high frequency alternating electrical current for cutting and<br />
coagulation. They are the main potential ignition source for a fire<br />
• Electrosurgery can produce a high temperature electrical arc if carbonized tissue is<br />
allowed to build up on the tip of the electrosurgery device. It is essential that an<br />
electrocautery tip cleaner be applied to remove the build-up of carbonised tissue.<br />
• The power setting for the electrosurgery unit will be confirmed verbally between the<br />
operator and the user prior to activation.<br />
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