Despite its prevalence in operating rooms, many healthcare professionals may not fully grasp the seriousness of surgical smoke exposure. This byproduct of electrosurgical procedures contains over 150 identified chemicals, including known carcinogens, and can harbor live viruses and bacteria. Studies have shown that daily exposure to surgical smoke in the OR is equivalent to smoking 27-30 unfiltered cigarettes.
The new Ohio law recognizes these risks and mandates the use of smoke evacuation systems during surgical procedures. This legislation prioritizes healthcare workers’ health and sets a new standard for operating room safety.
Understanding Surgical Smoke: A Hidden Hazard
- The thermal destruction of tissue produces surgical smoke during the use of lasers, electrosurgical units, ultrasonic devices, and other surgical energy-based devices.
- The smoke can contain toxic gasses such as benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide.
- Exposure to surgical smoke has been linked to respiratory issues, eye irritation, and potential long-term health effects among healthcare workers.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recognized surgical smoke as a workplace hazard.
Remora®: A Tailored Solution for Current Needs
Given these new requirements, Applied Medical Technology’s Remora® system is an ideal solution. Here’s why Remora® is perfectly positioned to meet the current needs:
- Compatibility with Existing Equipment: Remora® is designed to attach to almost any electrosurgical pencil and connects to standard OR suction sources. This compatibility is a significant advantage, especially for hospitals operating under tight budgets.
- Smoke Capture at the Source: The Remora® device’s design allows for the immediate capture of surgical smoke at its point of origin. This feature ensures compliance with the new law and provides maximum protection for healthcare workers.
- Seamless Implementation: With the October 2024 deadline approaching, hospitals need a solution that can be implemented quickly and easily. Remora® offers no steep learning curve or need for extensive training. It integrates seamlessly into existing surgical procedures without disruption.
- Dual Benefit: Safety and Efficiency: Remora® goes beyond mere smoke evacuation. Keeping the surgical field clear enhances the surgeon’s visibility and ability to perform. This dual benefit of improved safety and increased efficiency greatly benefits busy surgical departments.
- Cost-Effective Compliance: Given the universal design of Remora®, there’s no need for significant capital investment. This feature is particularly attractive for healthcare facilities looking to comply with the new regulations without straining their budgets.
- Disposable: The Remora® system is disposable, ensuring hygiene and reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Implementation Process: A Smooth Transition
Implementing Remora® into your surgical practice is a straightforward process:
- Attach the Remora® device to your existing electrosurgical pencil.
- Connect it to your standard OR suction source.
- Proceed with your surgical procedure as usual, now with effective smoke evacuation in place.
This simplicity ensures that your team can adapt quickly, meeting the new legal requirements without disrupting established routines or compromising surgical precision.
Additional Implementation Steps:
- Staff Training: While Remora® is user-friendly, a brief training session can ensure all staff members are comfortable using it.
- Integration with OR Protocols: Update your OR protocols to include Remora® in all relevant procedures.
- Performance Monitoring: Implement a system to monitor the effectiveness of smoke evacuation and gather feedback from surgical teams.
Conclusion: Peace of Mind and Regulatory Compliance
The new Ohio law on surgical smoke evacuation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for healthcare facilities. By adopting Remora®, these facilities can:
- Protect their staff from the harmful effects of surgical smoke
- Improve surgical procedures through enhanced visibility and efficiency
- Achieve all this without significant changes to their existing equipment or processes
Ultimately, Remora® is a comprehensive solution that allows healthcare facilities to prioritize staff safety, meet regulatory requirements, and enhance surgical procedures – all simultaneously and cost-effectively.
Solutions like Remora® pave the way for safer, more efficient operating rooms as we move towards a future where surgical smoke is no longer an accepted occupational hazard. The time to act is now, ensuring that your facility is compliant and at the forefront of OR safety standards.
For more information on how Remora® can help your facility meet the new Ohio surgical smoke evacuation requirements, please contact Applied Medical Technology at https://www.appliedmedical.net/surgical/smoke-evacuation/.
Disclaimer: Anything contained in this blog is general information only and is not, nor should it be interpreted to be medical advice. Always consult with a qualified physician and/or a health care provider for medical advice.
References
- Ohio Legislature. (2023). Senate Bill 185: Surgical Smoke Evacuation Systems. https://www.aorn.org/article/ohio-is-lucky-number-13#:~:text=On%20Monday%2C%20July%203%2C%202023,legislation%20introduced%20earlier%20this%20year
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2017). Laser/Electrosurgery Plume. https://www.osha.gov/laser-electrosurgery-plume
- Pierce, J. S., Lacey, S. E., Lippert, J. F., Lopez, R., & Franke, J. E. (2011). Laser-generated air contaminants from medical laser applications: a state-of-the-science review of exposure characterization, health effects, and control. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 8(7), 447-466. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21726157/
- Ulmer, B. C. (2008). The hazards of surgical smoke. AORN Journal, 87(4), 721-738. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18461735/
- Steege, A. L., Boiano, J. M., & Sweeney, M. H. (2016). Secondhand smoke in the operating room? Precautionary practices lacking for surgical smoke. American journal of industrial medicine, 59(11), 1020-1031. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5069165/
- Applied Medical Technology. (2024). Remora® Surgical Smoke Evacuation System: Technical Specifications and User Manual. https://www.appliedmedical.net/surgical/smoke-evacuation/
- Dobrogowski, M., Wesolowski, W., Kucharska, M., Sapota, A., & Pietrowski, L. A. (2014). Chemical composition of surgical smoke formed in the abdominal cavity during laparoscopic cholecystectomy–assessment of the risk to the patient. International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health, 27(2), 314-325. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24715421/
- Ball, K. (2010). Compliance with surgical smoke evacuation guidelines: implications for practice. AORN journal, 92(2), 142-149. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20678603/
- Bree, K., Barnhill, S., & Rundell, W. (2017). The Dangers of Electrosurgical Smoke to Operating Room Personnel: A Review. Workplace health & safety, 65(11), 517-526. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28414627/
- Karjalainen, M., Kontunen, A., Saari, S., Rönkkö, T., Lekkala, J., Roine, A., & Oksala, N. (2018). The characterization of surgical smoke from various tissues and its implications for occupational safety. PloS one, 13(4), e0195274. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5896939/
- Lee, T., Soo, J. C., LeBouf, R. F., Burns, D., Schwegler-Berry, D., Kashon, M., … & Harper, M. (2018). Surgical smoke control with local exhaust ventilation: Experimental study. Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene, 15(4), 341-350. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6460469/
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). (2018). ANSI Z136.3 Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care. Orlando, FL: Laser Institute of America. https://blog.ansi.org/ansi-z136-3-2024-safe-use-of-lasers-health-care/
