Regulatory Info
Perioperative professionals and patients are routinely exposed to surgical smoke, plume and aerosols produced by instruments used to dissect tissue and provide haemostasis. These surgical devices include lasers, electrosurgical units, ultrasonic units, cautery units, and high speed drills and burrs. Anything that produces heat can produce smoke or aerosols. Smoke and aerosol-generating procedures can pose health risks (Ulmer 2008).
Control of Smoke From Laser/Electric Surgical ProceduresThis liturature reviews the practice guidelines for evacuating surgical smoke plume from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH). |  |
General Duty ClauseRegulations regarding dealing with known hazards in the work place from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The General Duty Clause has an important use for workers. Sometimes there is a hazard, but OSHA has no specific rule or standard dealing with it. Under the General Duty Clause, the employer has an obligation to protect workers from serious and recognized workplace hazards even where there is no standard. | |
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Acts on Guidelines for Electrosurgical PlumeReview of OSHA Guidelines for electrosurgical plume. By Ulmer, Brenda - AORN Journal - June 1998 Vol. 67/ No. 6
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OSHA Aligns with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and JCRThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has joined with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Joint Commission Resources, Inc. (JCR) to educate the healthcare community on safety and health issues for healthcare workers.
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Recommended Practices for ElectrosurgeryThe AORN Journal published recommendations and best practices during electrosurgical procedures. **Please note this download only shows pages which pertain to surgical smoke recommendations. To purchase a full copy of AORN's Recommended Practices visit www.aorn.org.
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Recommended Practices for Laser Refractive SurgeryASORN's recommendations and best practices during refractive laser procedures.
**Please note this download only shows pages which pertain to surgical smoke recommendations. To purchase a full copy of ASORN's Recommended Practices visit www.asorn.org. | |
Recommended Practices for LasersThe AORN Journal published recommendations and best practices during laser procedures. **Please note this download only shows pages which pertain to surgical smoke recommendations. To purchase a full copy of AORN's Recommended Practices visit www.aorn.org.
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Regulations (Standards 29 CFR) Bloodborne pathogens.- 1910.1030) Regulations regarding surgical smoke plume from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In 1991, OSHA issued the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) to protect workers from this risk. Note that surgical smoke has been proven to contain blood and blood fragments. | |
Safety and Health Topics: Laser/Electrosurgery PlumeRecommendations regarding surgical smoke plume from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). | |
Reducing the Danger of Surgical Smoke Exposure to Health Care WorkersThe Joint Commission has published in their Environment of Care News publication an article relating to the hazards of surgical smoke exposure. The article is entitled “Reducing the Danger of Surgical Smoke Exposure to Health Care Workers” and was published in September 2007.
The article is contained in its entirety in our Education and Resources section of www.buffalofilter.com. Click on the link below to be taken directly to the article.
Weblink: www.ingentaconnect.com/content/jcaho/ecn/2007/00000010/00000009/art00002
© Joint Commission Resources: “Reducing the Danger of Surgical Smoke Exposure to Health Care Workers.” Environment of Care News Volume 10, Issue 9: pages 10(9): 4-6, Sept 2007. Reprinted with permission.
To purchase reprints of this article, please click on the link below: www.ingentaconnect.com/content/jcaho/ecn/2007/00000010/00000009/art00002 and you will be redirected to IgentaConnect, The Joint Commission’s publishing agency from which you can purchase additional copies.
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AORN Position StatementPOSITION STATEMENT
AORN believes that exposure to surgical smoke and bio-aerosols can and should be controlled. Health care professionals are responsible for learning about surgical smoke and bio-aerosols and taking steps to minimize the risks associated with these hazards. | |
Surgical Mask Filter and Fit PerformanceThis study measures the effectiveness of surgical masks to act in providing respiratory protection during surgical procedures. The authors examined the filtration capabilities of the masks along with the fit characteristics to reach their conclusion. They concluded that none of the masks examined exhibited adequate filtration or fit to be considered respiratory protection. | |
AfPP- Surgical Smoke: What We KnowPerioperative professionals and patients are routinely exposed to surgical smoke, plume and aerosols produced by instruments used to dissect tissue and provide haemostasis. These surgical devices include lasers, electrosurgical units, ultrasonic units, cautery units, and high speed drills and burrs. Anything that produces heat can produce smoke or aerosols. Smoke and aerosol-generating procedures can pose health risks (Ulmer 2008). | |
American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Healthcare Facilities*Recommendations and best practices for using medicinal lasers by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). **Please note that this .pdf download will only show the pages which pertain to surgical smoke recommendations. The ANSI Z136.3-2005 American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities can be purchased from www.laserinstitute.org/store. | |
