An estimated 200 to 650 surgical fires occur annually in, on, or around a patient who is undergoing a medical or surgical procedure in the United States, according to ECRI Institute. To combat this issue, The Joint Commission has partnered with the Food and Drug Administration, the Council for Surgical & Perioperative Safety (CSPS), and others in the Preventing Surgical Fires Initiative (PSFI).
The Initiative aims to do the following:
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increase awareness of surgical fires;
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provide prevention tools;
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encourage risk reduction practices.
For more information about PSFI, visit the Initiative’s website (http://bit.ly/1YTEo44), which is hosted by CSPS. Among the resources available are a presentation on “Preventing Surgical Fires and Burns in Healthcare Facilities” suitable for Grand Rounds presentations, as well as an online educational program on prevention and management of surgical fires by the Society of Amer-
ican Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. Its “Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy” program deals with operating room safety. To access that program, go to http://bit.ly/1QZEfwD.
