Airway Fires
Do oxygen-enriched atmospheres exist beneath surgical drapes and contribute to fire hazard potential in the operating room?
Title/Abstract
The title accurately reflects the description of the study undertaken, while the abstract describes the study, method, and supported outcome of the study. The research question is presented in an attempt to bias the reader is made by stating, “ oxygen concentrations beneath the drapes were significantly reduced with the use of the scavenger system.” Methods used to collect data were quasi experimental. Dependent variables are oxygen concentration at room air, oxygen concentration at various liter rates, and oxygen delivery systems. Independent variable is the use of a savaging system. The author’s variable of intent was to develop a correlation between the use of a scavenging system and decreasing the oxygen concentration under surgical drapes.
Problem Statement/Conceptual Framework/Results
The theoretical framework is presented with a pictorial summary of the theory of combustion. The author uses the fire triangle to present essential concepts regarding how combustion starts and is supported. This theory is outdated. The National Fire Service is now applying a Fire Tetrahedron to the theory of combustion. It would seem that this theory should have been presented first to allow the reader a better understanding of the basic principles behind combustion. Descriptions of the variable are listed in a table as draped/no drape, oxygen flow rate, and concentration of oxygen beneath drapes with and without scavenger system. Level of significance was * .0001.
Literature Review
In reviewing the literature used, it seems as if the author had difficulty obtaining information regarding this specific subject. Many articles were obtained regarding fires that occurred as a result of cautery that ignited surgical drapes, sponges, and other combustible items. The author does state that many disputes were noted regarding questioning supplemental oxygen as contributing factor in these documented fires. The literature review is very thorough in presenting supporting documentation on diminishing oxygen concentrations under surgical drapes via a scavenging system.
Methodology/Sampling
The sample size was limited to 12 “healthy individuals”. Sampling did not include any individuals with major health issues. Power calculation was not used. The institutional review board cleared the study.
Discussion
The study was described in excellent detail, which was easily understood. The graphs were easily understood and meaningful to the article. The author gives enough detail to replicate the study at other institutions. Overall, the study did what it was designed to do, which was to the answer a very specific question.
Goldman, M. A. (2008). Pocket Guide to the Operating Room. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.
The results have shown us that all four methods of extinguishing fires which we have used have been successful in putting the fires out but some were more efficient than others. Experiment A, with the vinegar, was the most successful substance. The fires in all the rounds of testing were quickly extinguished and there was barely any smoke. All the fires extinguished using Bottle A, were put out in under fifteen seconds with times such as fourteen seconds, thirteen seconds and eleven seconds. After the different rounds of testing, we also noticed that the product was easier to use and therefore put the fire out quicker. Experiment B, with the bicarbonate of soda, extinguished the fire but it took longer than experiment A and was not too efficient. The fires put out by Bottle B were put out between fifteen and
After reviewing six research studies varying from systematic, to meta-analysis, to experimental, and to quasi-experimental they all have identified that there are positive effects of pre-warming the patient prior to surgery. Andrzejowski, Hyle, Eapen & Turnbull (2008), performed a quasi-experimental study with 68 adult patients having spinal surgery under general anesthesia. 31 were pre-warmed for 60 minutes before induction and 37 were in a control group. All received forced air warming (FAW) during surgery. Pre-warming the patient had a significant effect on patient's outcomes, which resulted in a decrease incidence of perioperative hypothermia. When pre-warming by FAW, the patient experiences better outcomes and improved patient satisfaction.
oxygen, and cannot be smothered. If you start a chemical fire indoors, it can be
Hinkle, J., Cheever, K., & , (2012). Textbook of medical-surgical nursing. (13 ed., pp. 586-588). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health
There are modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for atelectasis. Porth (2015) describes how breathing oxygen in large amounts contributes to atelectasis by promoting an increased rate of its absorption in the alveoli. Therefore, high concentrations of oxygen are a modifiable risk factor atelectasis because it can be avoided. Kelkar (2015) identifies chronic alcohol abuse as a risk factor for atelectasis because it is related to a reduction in the amount of surfactant within the alveoli. Lifestyle factors can be altered, therefore, chronic alcohol abuse is a modifiable risk factor for atelectasis. Pain, narcotics given for pain, anesthesia, and immobility increase the risk of atelectasis as well (Porth, 2015). All post-operative patients are encouraged to mobilize in order to prevent complications, unless contraindicated by physician’s orders. Narcotics can be substituted with non-opioid analgesics or non-pharmacological methods of pain relief, although not always ideal. Thus, immobility and narcotics for pain are considered to be modifiable risk factors for
There are many causes of accidental death in the United States, one of the most commonly seen are burn injuries. Burn injuries can effect a victim both internally (lungs) and externally (skin), they are so serious that many major hospitals have a burn unit area solely for the treatment of burn victims. In this research paper we will discuss the important issues dealing with the injuries of a burn victim such as the etiology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, complications and treatment.
The first accident occurred on a 61-year old woman who was at a follow-up appointment after a breast tumor was removed. She felt a burning sensation and told the operator “you burned me”. She developed swelling and reddening, but the AECL declared this a normal treatment reaction and not a machine malfunction. Her condition wor...
Smeltzer, S. C., Bare, B. G., Hinkle, J. L., & Cheever, K. H. (2010). Brunner & Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing (12th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
I really grew interested in Smoke Ventilation when my friend Dj,( who is in the process of becoming part of the Mariposa CDF program), told me about how smoke itself can start a fire, if hot enough. I asked him if he could tell me more about Smoke Ventilation, so he gave me some helpful information. I also wanted to learn what considerations must be made when dealing with a structure fire, and what are the important aspects of strategy and tactics. It turns out that Dj also had information on that as well. I asked him for the information he new along with the work he had finished in his class. He gave me some packets called,” Fire Fighting Technology,” which teaches a person about Smoke Ventilation and the important aspects of strategy and tactics.
Augustine Medical, Inc. was founded by Dr. Scott Augustine, an anesthesiologist from Minnesota, in 1987. The company was created to develop and market products for hospital operating rooms and postoperative recovery rooms. The company provides innovative solutions to combat postoperative conditions such as hypothermia. Medical research indicates that 60 to 80 percent of all postoperative recovery room patients are clinically hypothermic. Hypothermia is caused by a patient’s exposure to cold operating room temperatures that are required by surgeons to control infection, and for the personal comfort of the surgeon. Hypothermia can also be a result of heat loss due to evaporation of the fluids used to scrub patients, evaporation from exposed bowel, and breathing of dry anesthetic gases. Dr. Augustine’s personal experience in the operating room convinced him that there was a need for a new system to warming patients after surgery. Dr. Augustine also realized that the market for this new product would be enormous! Statistics indicate that approximately 21 million surgical operations are performed annually in the United States, and that approximately 5,500 hospitals have operating rooms and postoperative recovery rooms that include 31,365 postoperative recovery beds and 28,514 operating rooms. Upon the realization of this need and existence of the market, Dr. Augustine went on to develop The Bair Hugger Patient Warming System then he acquired a patent. The Bair Hugger Patient Warming System consists of a heat source and a separate disposable warming cover that directs a gentle flow of warm air across the body. The Bair Hugger heat source uses a reliable high efficiency blower, a sealed 400W heating element, and a microprocessor based temperature control to create a continuous flow of warm air. The heat source complies with all safety requirements for hospital equipment. Augustine Medical, Inc. was able to find investors that contributed to the initial capitalization of $500,000. These initial funds that were collected were used for staff support, facilities, and marketing. The funds were also used to cover the fixed costs of the company while in its first year. The company subcontracted the production of the heater/blower unit and manufactured the warming covers in-house. The company only par...
In the early 1980s, a device was invented (The cone calorimeter) resembling a stove vent hood with a series of ducts attached to the top of a small sealed chamber. When an object, such as a piece of plastic or wood, was burned in the chamber, the smoke and exhaust was measured the chemical composition
Fire is a chemical reaction whcih needs three things to be present so it can happen: Oxygen, Fuel, and Heat.
“In 2009, 2,565 people died in home fires. Nearly all of these deaths could have been prevented by taking a few simple precautions like having working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan, keeping things that can burn away from the stove and always turning off space heaters before going to bed,’ says Jason Cullen of the Eliot Fire Department.” (Eliot Fire Department). Uncountable numbers of meals are cooked everyday in this country without incident; however, the meals that end in a house fire is our focus today. As young children in grammar school, either in science or by a firefighter during fire prevention week was taught about the fire triangle. Three components must be present to have fire; oxygen, heat, and a fuel. Oxygen is in our atmosphere and is ever present. While cooking the stove is the heat source and the cooking oils used and fats from meat are the fuels. The triangle has to be broken to extinguish a fire. Remove one of the components and the fire will go out.
Due to the fact that during a surgery you will be using your hands you must be very careful even if you are wearing safety equipment. Protective wear can help tremendously by eliminating any easy route of transmission of any viruses, or diseases etc. Through medical school it will be required that surgeons wear gear that will protect them. Always wear protective gear no matter how little the operation could be, surgeons will always be exposed to some kinds of bacteria which can be foreign to your own. According to Paul A. Ruggieri M.D.’s novel, “I love being a surgeon. I love being able to make a clear, tangible difference in the quality of a person’s life. Sometimes I even save a life. I am honored every time a patient comes to me, and I’m humbled at the trust that’s given.” Surgeons should have the same mindset as Dr. Ruggieri because making a difference in someone else 's life should be a huge priority. They should want to help someone with their problems. Surgeons leave a mark on other people’s life, and it should always be a positive one. The satisfaction knowing a surgery was performed on someone and treated their problems would feel