Orthopaedic Operating Room Fire Risks: FDA Database and Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Medical safety
• Surgical procedures
• Fire prevention

Background:

• Knowledge gaps exist within the orthopaedic surgery community regarding surgical fire prevention, safety, and management.
• Inadvertent activation of electrosurgical devices is a primary cause of patient burns and harm during surgical procedures.
• Arthroplasty procedures represent the most common surgical context for reported fire events.

Approach:

• This study highlights the critical need for enhanced education and protocols in surgical fire safety.
• It emphasizes the responsibility of orthopaedic surgeons in understanding and mitigating surgical fire risks.
• The findings underscore the importance of addressing knowledge deficits to improve patient safety in the operating room.

Key Points:

• Surgical fires are a serious concern, with electrosurgical devices being a key factor.
• Arthroplasty is the most frequently reported procedure associated with surgical fires.
• Orthopaedic surgeons play a vital role in implementing fire risk reduction strategies.

Conclusions:

• There is a pressing need to bridge knowledge gaps in surgical fire safety among orthopaedic surgeons.
• Proactive implementation of fire prevention and management strategies is essential to protect patients.
• Understanding and mitigating the risks associated with electrosurgical devices are crucial for preventing surgical fires.