Environmental Hazards Flashcards
the statistical probability of a harmful event
Risk
3 components of fire:
oxygen (in air or pure gas)
fuel (combustible material)
source of ignition (heat)
Why is the operating room oxygen-enriched atmosphere (OEA)?
Oxygen is heavier than air, so it settles under drapes and in confined areas like body cavities where it is trapped
RACE
Rescue patients in immediate care of fire
Alert other people to fire so they can help
Contain fire
Evacuate personnel
PASS
Pull ring from handle
Aim nozzle at base of fire
Squeeze handle
Sweep fire with tank contents
What are used as power sources for instruments like drills, saws?
Compressed nitrogen and air
Nitrous oxide
anesthetic gas
What are 2 types of hazards associated with compressed gas cylinders?
physical and chemical
ESU fire management strategies
place the patient return electrode on a large muscle mass close to the surgical site
keep tip clean
Laser fire management strategies
wet sponges around the tube cuffs may provide extra protection to help retard fire potential
Fiber optic light fire management strategies
place light source on stand by or turn it off when cable isnt connected
do not place a light cable that is connected to a light source on drapes, sponges, or anything else that is flammable
make sure light cables are in good working order
Power tool fire management strategy
slow drip of saline on a moving drill helps reduce heat
x-ray machines, fluoroscopes, and unshielded radioactive implants produce ionizing radiation in amounts high enough to damage tissue
Ionizing radiation
What is the most effective method of blocking radiation?
lead shields
How far should people remaining in the room during an xray be away from the patient?
6 feet
Toxic chemicals
glutaraldehyde disinfectant
vapor from methyl methacrylate cement
formaldehyde
phenolic
peracetic
created during laser surgery and electrosurgery. They contain harmful toxins that must be removed from the immediate surgical environment because they contain benzene, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, blood fragments, and viruses
smoke plume
developed because the evidence shows sharps injuries occur when instruments are passed and received
Neutral zone (no hands)
a risk reduction strategy that is used after exposure to blood or other body fluids (voluntary)
postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)
reduce the risk of transmission of airborne agents by droplet nuclei up to 5 um in size (measles, varicella, tuberculosis)
airborne transmission precautions
reduce risk of infectious disease transmission by large moist aerosol droplets spread through mouth, nose, oropharynx, and trachea to susceptible host
droplet precautions
Harmful organisms that may be present in and transmitted through human blood and body fluids.
Blood-borne pathogen
Medical device commonly used in surgery to coagulate blood vessels and cut tissue.
Electrosurgical Unit (ESU)
Clothing or equipment that protects the wearer from direct contact with hazardous chemicals or potentially infectious body fluids.
Person Protection Equipment (PPE)
Compressed Gas Cylinder Agents
- Oxygen (green)
- Nitrogen (black)
- Nitrous Oxide (blue)
- Carbon Dioxide (gray)
- Compressed Air (yellow)
Hazardous Waste
- Soiled or blood-soaked bandages
- Culture dishes
- Discarded surgical instruments
- Needles
- Specimen
- Surgical gloves
Exertion and posture, repetitive motions, and contact stress (cause)
Musculoskeletal Risk
Preventing Injury
- Lift correctly
- Shelving heavy items at waist level
- Move heavy items by pushing
- Use caution while catching items falling
- Place electrical cord with no hazard
Burned tissue fragments that can accumulate on the electrosurgical tip during surgery; eschar can cause sparking and become a source of ignition.
Eschar
A path for electrical current to flow unimpeded through a material and disperse back to the source or disperse into the ground.
Grounding
the ability of a substance to stop or alter the flow of electrons through a conductive material.
Impedance (resistance)
A naturally occurring sap obtained from rubber trees that is used in the manufacture of medical devices, supplies, and patient care items.
Latex
Guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the risk of transmission of blood-borne and other pathogens.
Standard Precautions
What is “source of ignition”?
It refers to the potential any heat-producing device has to cause a fire.
If a fire breaks out in the operating room, what three steps should be taken immediately to protect the patient and put out the fire?
Shut off the flow of all gases to the patient’s airway
Remove any burning objects from the surgical site
Assess the patient for injury and respond appropriately
What is a Material Safety Data Sheet?
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) describes the chemical, precautions for handling the chemical, hazards associated with the chemical, and firefighting techniques and first aid for exposure.
The primary risk is the presence of metal, which can be drawn from its source and into the path of the powerful magnetic field. Or this reason, absolutely no metal objects are permitted in the environment during this process.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Materials and substances that burn are called ______.
flammable
On which of the following would you use a class A fire extinguisher?
wood, paper, and cloth
Class B fire extinguishers are also called _______ extinguishers.
carbon dioxide
Scaling, drying, cracks in skin are examples of what type of allergic skin reaction?
contact dermatitis (nonallergic)
chemicals, some types of radiation, and certain viruses that can cause or promote cancer
Carcinogens
Can begin as an explosion, causing extensive burns w/in seconds; Fire moves quickly along the oxygen path and spreads to the lungs, face, hair & drapes
Endotracheal Fire
Soiled or bloody bandages, Culture dishes & other glassware, Discarded surgical gloves, Discarded surgical instruments, Used needles, Used cultures, Used stocks, Used swabs, Removed body organs
Hazardous Waste
Safe Body Mechanics - LIFTING
- When lifting an object keep it close to your body
- Always bend at knees when raising or lowering heavy objects
- Keep back straight, legs wide apart & both feet flat on floor
- NEVER lock knees and bend over to lift
Agents or substances capable of supporting fire.
oxidizers
All workers in the health care setting should be vaccinated against
Hepatitis B
Scalpel blades must be mounted and removed using
an instrument
Are used with laser and electrosurgical equipment to prevent disease transmission.
Efficient evacuation and filtering
Formerly called universal precautions
standard precautions
List three safety precautions that must be followed when a laser is used during a case?
1.Sterile water available,
2.fire extinguisher,
3.nonexplosive anesthetic agent
Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
LASER
What type of fire extinguisher should be available for use when laser surgery is involved?
Halon
Time, distance, shielding
3 important things to remember when working with radioactive elements, x-rays, and fluoroscopy
Used to monitor radiation exposure
Film badge
Excessive exposure to radiation can damage what organs
Reproductive
