Viva - Fire in the ICU

Question 1

Components of Fire

Answer 1

Oxygen/oxidiser
Fuel
Ingition source

Question 2

How should a gas cylinder be set up to minimise fire risk to patient

Answer 2

Set up the cylinder before putting it near the patietn

Valve opened and flow selected away from patient = these stages assoc with ignition

Use a specific holder at bottom of bed or back of wheelchairs

Avoid putting it on the bed

Question 3

How to prevent fire in the ITU

Answer 3

Electrical equipment checked and maintained
Training for safe use of cylinders
Orderly stacking of waste and flammable products
Desingated waste areas
Ensure fire doors, vent and escape routes when designing a facility

Question 4

Guidelines on Fire in the ICU

Answer 4

Safe anaesthesia Lisaon Group:

1) at hgih concentrations and under pressure oxygen is dangerousn
2) handle cylinder carefully, position in holders
3) All staff trained in handling procedures and fire prevention
4) fire evac policy in all hospitals

Report all problems to manufacturer and MHRA

Question 5

Goals of managing a fire

Answer 5

Patient and staff safety
Manage fire
Indentify cause and adress prevention

RACER pneumonic

Rescure - remove patients and staff from danger
Caution with safe disconnect of lines and tubing
Hand ventilate patients

Alert - Raise alarm, notify co workers

Contain - Close all doors and windows
Turn off oxygen/gase

Extinguish - DoH says leave it alone
Only fight if small, size of waste paper basket
Choose the right extinguihser

Relocate
Evaculate out of fire exits, 
Visitors first
Stable patients
Unstable patietns
staff

Use horizontal evacuation, move to next lateral fire compartment
Stay in evac area until ordered by marshall
Stick to assembly points

Assess patients and staff for smoke inhalation and burns

Question 6

Cylinder types

Answer 6

Water - Red - Wood,, paper, organic solids

Water mist - White, red print - Organic solids, fats

Foam - red with cream panel - Organic solids, flammable liquids

Powder - Red with french blue - organic solids, flammable liquids, electircal

CO2 - red with black - electrical fires