Needed Practice Change: Surgical Smoke Evacuation

Promoting surgical smoke management in a pediatric operating room: a best practice implementation project

“…Opponents argue that current evidence-based practice (EBP) recommendations are not conducive to the perioperative setting as they negatively impact efficiency and safety. Dennis reports that it is clear that there is “no such thing as safe smoke.” 4 (p.103) Surgical smoke exposure has been known to cause a variety of health issues for patients and perioperative staff 4 . The chemical components of surgical smoke may be absorbed through the skin and lungs 6 .…”

“…Approximately 500,000 clinicians of various disciplines are exposed to surgical smoke annually in the US 5 . The AORN and the American National Standards Institute have established guidelines and standards of practice that indicate the evacuation and filtration of surgical smoke is necessary to protect patients and health care workers 4 . Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has acknowledged the hazards related to surgical smoke, the organization has not specifically addressed protection from surgical smoke in its regulatory standards 4 .…”

“…The AORN and the American National Standards Institute have established guidelines and standards of practice that indicate the evacuation and filtration of surgical smoke is necessary to protect patients and health care workers 4 . Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has acknowledged the hazards related to surgical smoke, the organization has not specifically addressed protection from surgical smoke in its regulatory standards 4 . However, as of August 2022, legislation mandating the evacuation of surgical plume has been adopted in nine US states 4 …”

“…While professional organizations have recognized this potential health hazard for decades, health care organizations have been hesitant to mandate plume-management practices, and there has been little innovation to enhance existing medical devices aimed at reducing surgical plume in the industry. 3,4 Proponents of surgical plume evacuation argue that plume presents a significant health hazard to patients and personnel that must be mitigated. 3,4 Opponents argue that current evidence-based practice (EBP) recommendations are not conducive to the perioperative setting as they negatively impact efficiency and safety.…”

“…3,4 Proponents of surgical plume evacuation argue that plume presents a significant health hazard to patients and personnel that must be mitigated. 3,4 Opponents argue that current evidence-based practice (EBP) recommendations are not conducive to the perioperative setting as they negatively impact efficiency and safety. Dennis reports that it is clear that there is "no such thing as safe smoke."…”