Just published: Updated Sentinel Event Alert on surgical fire prevention for 21st century

Surgical fires continue to occur and represent a significant risk to patients and healthcare professionals. Most surgical fires and burns are associated with the use of an electrosurgical device while performing head and neck surgery. 

This update to an issue of Sentinel Event Alert originally published in 2003 provides current information and aims to help healthcare organizations recommit to surgical fire prevention. Surgical fires can be prevented by creating awareness of and carefully monitoring elements of the “fire triangle” of:

• Oxygen
• Ignition sources
• Fuel

Read Sentinel Event Alert.