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