The smoking lamp is out: BACH OR recognized as smoke free

By Maria Christina YagerSeptember 1, 2021

Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Operating Room Specialist Spc. Brandon Trevathan displays an electrosurgery device equipped with a smoke evacuation system. The Association of Perioperative Nurses recently awarded the hospital the “Go Clear Award - Gold Level” for its efforts to eliminate surgical smoke exposure that occurs during the cauterization process in the operating room. U.S. Army photo by Maria Yager.
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Operating Room Specialist Spc. Brandon Trevathan displays an electrosurgery device equipped with a smoke evacuation system. The Association of Perioperative Nurses recently awarded the hospital the “Go Clear Award - Gold Level” for its efforts to eliminate surgical smoke exposure that occurs during the cauterization process in the operating room. U.S. Army photo by Maria Yager. (Photo Credit: Maria Christina Yager) VIEW ORIGINAL
An electrosurgery device with an integrated smoke evacuation system used at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital eliminates surgical smoke produced during cauterization that would otherwise be inhaled by patients and staff in the operating room. Surgical smoke has more than 150 identified hazardous chemicals and has been equated to smoking 30 unfiltered cigarettes per day. U.S. Army photo by Maria Yager.
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An electrosurgery device with an integrated smoke evacuation system used at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital eliminates surgical smoke produced during cauterization that would otherwise be inhaled by patients and staff in the operating room. Surgical smoke has more than 150 identified hazardous chemicals and has been equated to smoking 30 unfiltered cigarettes per day. U.S. Army photo by Maria Yager. (Photo Credit: Maria Christina Yager) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Smoke may not be something the average person considers before going in for a surgical procedure, but the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports surgical smoke inhalation may be hazardous to patients and members of the surgical team breathing it in.

“Surgical smoke is the result of the interaction of human tissue with mechanical tools and/or heat producing devices used to stop bleeding or make incisions,” said Maj. Kristine Lee, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital's clinical nurse officer in charge of the hospital’s operating rooms.

Lee said these devices create the smoke which may contain ultra-fine particles, toxic compounds, and cancer cells.

“It has over 150 identified hazardous chemicals, and is the equivalent of smoking 30 unfiltered cigarettes per day,” explained Lee.

This inspired the hospital’s Department of Surgery team to make their operating rooms smoke free, earning them the “Go Clear Surgical Smoke Free Award” from the Association of Perioperative Nurses.

“This award recognizes the team for maintaining a surgical smoke free environment to protect patients and staff. I’m extremely proud of our team for their initiative and perseverance to ensure our ORs are safe while providing high quality care to our patients,” said Col. Vincent B. Myers, Blanchfield’s commander.

Lee said the OR underwent a six month journey to achieve a smoke-free environment.

“We started with a gap analysis, and assessed current smoke evacuation processes within our OR. We evaluated different smokeless bovie and suction device options, and identified products that worked well for staff and surgeons,” Lee said.

Perioperative and anesthesia staff underwent training and education, which included pre-testing, educational modules on the hazards of surgical smoke, and post-tests. Staff then received hands-on training on the new devices.

“Daily audits were performed for three months after initial implementation to monitor compliance,” said Lee.

As a result of these efforts, the hospital was recognized by AORN and awarded the Gold award status due to successful implementation and 100% usage and compliance across its surgical services.