Toxic smoke protection for patients, staff urged

Toxic plumes in surgical smoke are a hazard to patients, surgeons, and nurses


Surgeons, patients and nurses breathing in poisons and viral particles in surgical smoke will have to wait for any new minimum protections in New Zealand, according to an article on the Stuff website.

WorkSafe NZ has no specific guidance relating to toxic electrosurgical smoke plumes.

Surgeon Dr Bruce Hodgson urged all hospitals to adopt a more effective surgical smoke evacuation technology.

Staff at Dunedin's Mercy Hospital and the Nurses Organisation (NZNO) last weekend called for a national debate on the issue, which had flown under the radar for years, the article said.

Read the article.

 

 



June 15, 2016


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Hospitals Are Energy Super-Users. Why Is It So Hard to Modernize Them?

Managers face the ongoing challenge of finding a practical way to fund improvements while competing with capital priorities.


Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bangor Officially Opens

Encompass Health Bangor is the company’s first wholly owned hospital in Maine.


Early Entry: Manager's Critical Role in Construction Planning

Facilities managers should seek a seat at the table early to shape decisions that affect operations and continuity of care from the onset.


The Evolution of Lighting in Patient Care

Lighting is a significant investment that healthcare facility managers can make to aid in healing.


HealthPartners and Essentia Health to Combine Organizations

The organizations anticipate the combination will be effective Jan. 1, 2027.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.