Surgical smoke is released when tissue is cut and cauterized during surgery, and it can cause respiratory issues for health care professionals who spend their days in the operating room.
Regional One Health is implementing smoke evacuation technology in hopes of becoming the first “Surgical Smoke-Free OR” in Tennessee.
The goal is the keep staff members healthy while giving them the tools they need to provide exceptional care for patients.
Surgical teams go into the operating room to save and improve lives – and that shouldn’t mean putting their own health at risk.
That is the impetus behind Regional One Health’s efforts to earn “Surgical Smoke-Free OR” recognition from the American Association of periOperative Nurses.
Regional One Health is implementing the Neptune SafeAir smoke evacuation system in its operating rooms, and the health care system recently invited the manufacturer, Stryker Surgical Technologies, to bring in its mobile lab and talk to surgical staff about the initiative.
Jill Collier DNP, RN, CNOR, Vice President, PeriOperative Services, said Regional One Health is striving to be the first surgical smoke-free operating room in Memphis.
“Our goal is to invest in our staff and get them the equipment they need to be successful,” said Jill Collier, Vice President, PeriOperative Services
“This has been a big push across the nation, and legislation that says surgical smoke is no longer allowed in the operating room has been enacted or is pending in 28 states,” she said. “There is currently no legislation in Tennessee, so we’re taking the initiative on our own to go smoke-free in the OR to protect our surgical team.”
Shelby Capps from Stryker Surgical Technologies applauded Collier and Regional One Health for taking a proactive approach to employee well-being by implementing the Neptune system and bringing Stryker in to raise awareness.
“Jill has been transformative in taking care of her OR team and making sure they don’t have exposure to these risks,” Capps said. “We’re grateful to be able to come to Memphis and Regional One Health with this new technology.”
Collier and Capps said surgical smoke is a proven hazard for employees who spend their days inside the operating room.
Surgical smoke is produced when tissue is cut and cauterized, which happens during the majority of surgical procedures. That smoke contains a number of harmful substances, including carcinogens, toxic chemicals, and pathogens.
That repeated exposure can lead to a variety of health problems including respiratory illnesses, eye and throat irritation, and a higher risk of cancer.
The Neptune system is an effective, easy-to-use solution, Collier said.
Representatives from Stryker Surgical Technologies recently visited Regional One Health to showcase how their Neptune SafeAir smoke evacuation system can help keep operating rooms safer for employees.
The surgical team simply plugs in the machine and presses a button, and the Neptune takes care of the rest, suctioning surgical smoke as soon as it enters the air.
The equipment is not cumbersome or disruptive, Capps said – the only thing OR staff will notice is a minor noise.
Not surprisingly, the addition of the new equipment is getting a positive reaction from staff.
“Our team is very excited about this,” Collier added. “This is an investment in them. Our goal is to invest in our staff and get them the equipment they need to be successful. We want them to know we care about their well-being.”