Go offline with the Player FM app!
#251 Surgical Fires: The 30% Oxygen Rule
Manage episode 478504690 series 3347443
Surgical fires are devastating yet entirely preventable events that continue to occur in operating rooms around the world. This eye-opening episode features biomedical engineer Mark Bruley and anesthesiologist Dr. Jeffrey Feldman, who share decades of expertise investigating and preventing these catastrophic incidents.
The conversation reveals why the seemingly simple recommendation to limit open oxygen delivery to 30% is so critical for patient safety. Through forensic investigations and laboratory testing, we learn how oxygen-enriched environments transform common surgical materials into dangerously flammable substances. The experts describe the "two-fold risk" created when oxygen concentrations exceed safe limits: materials ignite more easily and flames spread exponentially faster, putting patients at serious risk of harm.
The experts outline clear, evidence-based approaches to prevent surgical fires, including the use of oxygen blenders for precise control and securing the airway when higher oxygen concentrations are clinically necessary. They share encouraging data showing significant reductions in surgical fire incidents over the past decade, while emphasizing that complete elimination is both possible and necessary.
Whether you're an anesthesia professional, surgeon, or perioperative nurse, this episode provides essential knowledge to protect your patients from this preventable complication. Visit the APSF website for comprehensive resources, including videos and algorithms, to implement surgical fire prevention protocols at your institution. By understanding and applying these recommendations, we can work together to ensure no patient is ever harmed by a surgical fire again.
For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/251-surgical-fires-the-30-oxygen-rule/
© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation
Chapters
1. Introduction to Surgical Fire Prevention (00:00:00)
2. Solventum Recognition (00:00:44)
3. Expert Perspectives on Fire Risk (00:01:09)
4. Key Recommendations for Fire Prevention (00:03:35)
5. Science Behind the 30% Oxygen Limit (00:06:32)
6. Future of Surgical Fire Prevention (00:10:25)
7. Closing Remarks and Resources (00:15:25)
256 episodes
Manage episode 478504690 series 3347443
Surgical fires are devastating yet entirely preventable events that continue to occur in operating rooms around the world. This eye-opening episode features biomedical engineer Mark Bruley and anesthesiologist Dr. Jeffrey Feldman, who share decades of expertise investigating and preventing these catastrophic incidents.
The conversation reveals why the seemingly simple recommendation to limit open oxygen delivery to 30% is so critical for patient safety. Through forensic investigations and laboratory testing, we learn how oxygen-enriched environments transform common surgical materials into dangerously flammable substances. The experts describe the "two-fold risk" created when oxygen concentrations exceed safe limits: materials ignite more easily and flames spread exponentially faster, putting patients at serious risk of harm.
The experts outline clear, evidence-based approaches to prevent surgical fires, including the use of oxygen blenders for precise control and securing the airway when higher oxygen concentrations are clinically necessary. They share encouraging data showing significant reductions in surgical fire incidents over the past decade, while emphasizing that complete elimination is both possible and necessary.
Whether you're an anesthesia professional, surgeon, or perioperative nurse, this episode provides essential knowledge to protect your patients from this preventable complication. Visit the APSF website for comprehensive resources, including videos and algorithms, to implement surgical fire prevention protocols at your institution. By understanding and applying these recommendations, we can work together to ensure no patient is ever harmed by a surgical fire again.
For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/251-surgical-fires-the-30-oxygen-rule/
© 2025, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation
Chapters
1. Introduction to Surgical Fire Prevention (00:00:00)
2. Solventum Recognition (00:00:44)
3. Expert Perspectives on Fire Risk (00:01:09)
4. Key Recommendations for Fire Prevention (00:03:35)
5. Science Behind the 30% Oxygen Limit (00:06:32)
6. Future of Surgical Fire Prevention (00:10:25)
7. Closing Remarks and Resources (00:15:25)
256 episodes
All episodes
×Welcome to Player FM!
Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.