Operating room fires unfortunately continue to be reported and can cause significant patient harm. The poster is provided as a resource to raise awareness among operating room personnel of conditions that create increased risk non-airway fires, and steps that can be taken to minimise that risk. These includes minimal oxygen administration requirements for patients when procedures require the concurrent use of supplemental oxygen, reduction of fuel (for example, alcohol skin prep solutions), and minimising ignition sources (diathermy or laser).
More details may be found in ANZCA’s professional guideline: PS55 Minimum safe facilities – Appendix 3 Fires 2021.
The poster is free to download and is designed for placement in conspicuous locations in operating and appropriate procedure room environments to optimise patient safety.
The four organisations that collaborated on and have endorsed the design of the poster are the:
- Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
- Australasian College of Peri-Anaesthesia Nurses (ACPAN).
- Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN).