Fire and Electrical Safety in the OR Flashcards
3 components of the fire triangle
-Fuel Source
-Ignition Source
-Oxidizers
Surgical prep solutions, alcohol, petroleum-based ointments, facial hair, surgical drapes, gloves, breathing circuits, dressings, ETT
Fuel sources
Oxygen, air, nitrous oxide
Oxidizers
Electrosurgeries (ESU’s), fiberoptics, high-speed drills, lasers, monitors, defibrillators, desiccated anesthesia soda lime
Ignition sources
Where do 85% of surgical fires occur
High risk cases involving the
-Head
-Neck
-Upper chest
3 modern safety devices
-Polarized plugs
-Three pronged (grounding) plug
-Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
Red light wavelength
620-750 nm
Factors affecting how much light is absorbed by the sample (Beer’s Law)
A= abc
a= Absorptivity
b=Increasing the distance the light beam travels through the sample
c= Concentration of analyte
Current flows in one direction
Direct Current Circuit (DC); commonly battery powered
Current periodically changes direction
Alternating Current Circuit (AC); Derive energy from wall outlets or AC generators
What kind of current does OR equipment operate one
Alternating Current Circuit (AC)
Type of circuit that allows one pathway for current flow
Series circuit; ex: a multibattery flashlight- voltages of battery simply add together
Type of circuit that has more than one path it can take; resistors are connected in parallel to create a unique current
Parallel circuit
Household circuits are usually:
Parallel circuits
The energy required to push electrons through a material
Resistance
Ohm’s Law measures
Resistance and conductance
Any substance that does not allow the flow of electrons
Insulator
Any substance that permits the flow of electrons
Conductor
Example of a conductor
Metals
What do all stationary electric charges possess
Electric potential energy
Electric potential energy is measured in what?
joules
What is an example of something that has electric potential energy
Defibrillator (joules)
What kind of wavelength does deoxygenated hemoglobin absorb?
visible red wavelength= 660 nm
What kind of wavelength does oxygenated hemoglobin absorb?
infrared= 940 nm
Every energized device or electrical circuit has the potential for producing an electric shock
T or F
True
A relatively large amount of current flows through the body potentially resulting in injury or death
Macroshock
A relatively small current is delivered externally and finds its way to the heart via a low resistance pathway
As little as 100 microA can cause v.fib
Microshock
The longer the individual is in contact with a current, the greater the damage.
T or F
True
If there is a surgical fire, what would you immediately pull?
ETT
What is the oxidizer in 95% of surgical fires?
Oxygen. Heavier than air, it can accumulate around and under drapes
Ways to prevent surgical fires
-Fire drills, education, trainings
-Avoid open air oxygen delivery (especially in head, neck, upper chest; turn O2 off when possible, ex: when surgeon closing)
-Administer supplemental O2 via ETT or LMA (closed systems=less fire risk than open- NC, mask)
-Limit supplemental O2 < 30%
-Turn O2 off 1 min before ESU
-Avoid pooling of prep solutions and allow to dry
-Continuous suction-scavenger systems
-Coat facial hair with water-soluble lubricant
-Use moistened sponges
-Laser resistant ETT’s for high risk cases
-Water and extinguishers immediately available
Mnemonic for fire safety
R escue
A alarm
C ontain
E xtinguish
Mnemonic for fire extinguisher
P ull pin
A im at base of fire
S queeze handle
S weep side to side
3 components of the fire triangle
Fuel source
Ignition source
Oxidizers
