Publications

Abstract : A fire in the operating room (OR) is a relatively rare event. However, when a fire does occur the medical outcomes may be catastrophic if a patient is injured, with severe legal and economic consequences for the surgical team and facility. Most OR fires are preventable with communication, appropriate education, and risk management [1,2]. Since these preventive measures have little cost and are nearly 100 percent effective, they are prioritized in patient safety initiatives. This topic will review causes, high-risk settings, and prevention of fires in the OR, as well as acute management of a surgical fire and the burned patient.