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Evacuate Surgical Smoke: Everyone Has a Right to Clean Air

Overview

All patients and members of the perioperative team deserve to be protected from the byproducts of surgical smoke and the potential complications that can follow. The decision about whether to evacuate surgical smoke is often left up to the surgeon’s discretion. But consistently using smoke evacuation equipment in the perioperative environment creates a safer environment for all.

This continuing education activity will present the harmful effects of surgical smoke as well as the benefits of using a surgical smoke evacuation system. Safety guidelines promulgated by regulatory agencies and professional associations will be discussed. Characteristics of an ideal smoke evacuation system will be identified so that members
of the perioperative team can apply their knowledge during the product selection process in order to break down barriers for using smoke evacuation systems and improve compliance with safety guidelines. Note that describing personal protective equipment (eg, respiratory protection from fit-tested surgical N95 respirator) is beyond the scope of this program.

Learner Objectives

After completing this continuing nursing education activity, the participant should be able to:

1. Discuss the harmful effects of surgical smoke.
2. Explain the benefits of using a surgical smoke evacuation system.
3. Discuss guidelines established by regulatory agencies and professional associations related to surgical smoke.
4. Identify characteristics of an ideal smoke evacuation system that can aid in product selection.
5. Identify steps for quality assurance and process improvement to increase compliance with safety guidelines.

Intended Audience

This continuing education activity is intended for perioperative registered nurses and allied health professionals who want to learn more about the harmful effects and evacuation of surgical smoke.

Accreditation Information

California Board of Registered Nursing
Pfiedler Enterprises is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP14944, for 2.0 contact hours.

Obtaining full credit for this offering depends upon attendance, regardless of circumstances, from beginning to end. Licensees must provide their license numbers for record keeping purposes.

The certificate of course completion issued at the conclusion of this course must be retained in the participant’s records for at least four (4) years as proof of attendance.

Expiration Date

This continuing education activity was planned and provided in accordance with accreditation criteria. This material was originally produced in May 2024 and can no longer be used after July 2024 without being updated; therefore, this continuing education activity expires July 2026.

Commercial Support

Healthcare organizations engaged in continuing medical, nursing and allied health education have adopted the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support. This course is supported by grant funds and complies with the intent of these Standards. Pfiedler Enterprises gratefully acknowledges educational funds provided by: I.C. Medical, Inc.