Smoke Plume
Potential Hazard
- Exposure to high concentrations of smoke may cause ocular and upper respiratory tract irritation and create visual problems for the perioperative team.
- Smoke may contain toxic gases that could have the potential for adverse health impacts, such as mutagenic and carcinogenic impacts.
Possible Solutions
- Use portable smoke evacuators and room suction systems with inline filters.
- Keep the smoke evacuator or room suction hose nozzle inlet within 2 inches of the surgical site to effectively capture airborne contaminants.
- Have a smoke evacuator available for every operating room where plume is generated.
- Evacuate all smoke, no matter how much is generated.
- Keep smoke evacuator "ON" (activated) at all times when airborne particles are produced during all surgical or other procedures.
- Consider all tubing, filters, and absorbers as infectious waste and dispose of them appropriately. Use Universal Precautions as required by the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard when contaminated with blood or OPIM.
- Use new tubing before each procedure and replace the smoke evacuator filter as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Inspect smoke evacuator systems regularly to ensure proper functioning.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-3. The smoke evacuator inlet should be kept _____ from the surgical site.
You forgot to answer the question!