Operation Clean Air: Implementing a Surgical Smoke Evacuation Program.

Area of Science:

• Perioperative Medicine
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Surgical smoke, a byproduct of laser and electrosurgical units, presents a significant, long-standing safety hazard in operating rooms.
• Exposure risks extend to both patients and perioperative healthcare professionals, despite established knowledge of its harmful nature.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address and mitigate patient and staff exposure to hazardous surgical smoke.
• To resolve deficiencies in surgical smoke evacuation equipment availability and staff knowledge within an academic medical center.

Main Methods:

• An interdisciplinary team implemented the nursing process to improve surgical smoke management.
• Educational interventions, including presentations and modules, were delivered to nursing and surgical staff.
• Audits were conducted across all operating rooms to monitor compliance with smoke evacuation protocols.

Main Results:

• The utilization of surgical smoke evacuation supplies increased by over 400% following the educational initiatives.
• Ongoing, unit-based education reinforces the importance of smoke evacuation.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive educational and auditing strategy effectively increased the use of surgical smoke evacuation.
• Sustained vigilance and shared responsibility among perioperative team members are crucial for maintaining a safe surgical environment.