Surgical Fires

Surgical Fires Overview

Surgical fires are fires that occur in, on, or around a patient undergoing a medical or surgical procedure. Surgical fires are rare but serious events. The ECRI Institute estimates that approximately 550 to 600 surgical fires occur each year.

In most cases, surgical fires are preventable.  As an integral part of the surgical team, it is important for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists to be aware of potential hazards that may cause surgical fires, prevention techniques, and steps to extinguish a surgical fire.

The AANA encourages all CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists to be knowledgeable about and take steps to mitigate the risk of surgical fires.  It is important for anesthesia professionals to participate in a fire risk assessment, identifying the presence of the three elements of the fire triangle, at the beginning of each procedure.  Continuous communication among the entire surgical team throughout the procedure is a vital component in the prevention of surgical fires.

Surgical fires can occur any time all three of the following elements are present:

• Ignition source (e.g., electrosurgical units, lasers, and fiberoptic light sources)
• Fuel source (e.g., surgical drapes, alcohol-based skin preparation agents, the patient)
• Oxidizer (e.g., oxygen, nitrous oxide, room air)