| Description |
Surgical smoke exposure poses potential health risks to the perioperative nurse (Vortman et al., 2020). Surgical smoke, or plume, is a by-product of using equipment and electrocautery to dissect tissue, provide hemostasis, and perform laser ablation (Tan & Russell, 2019). Every year there are approximately 500,000 healthcare workers including perioperative nurses, surgical technologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and other ancillary staff that are routinely exposed to surgical smoke (Ball & Gilder, 2022). In this paper, the reference to nurses includes registered nurses working as perioperative nurses, surgical technologists, CRNAs, surgical first assists, and nursing students. Using the Health Behavior Model (HBM) as the theoretical framework and its concepts of perceived susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy to motivate behavior, the objectives of this project are: 1. determine nurses' general awareness and knowledge of surgical smoke and potential health risks associated with exposure, 2: assess nurses' knowledge of surgical smoke evacuation systems (SES) and mitigation efforts for safer working conditions, and 3. evaluate a nurse's willingness to change their workplace behaviors to protect themselves from surgical smoke (Champion & Skinner, 2008). This project focuses on data collected from 35 nurses licensed in Utah state. Results from qualitative and descriptive data using Chi-square statistical methods, and proportions show a willingness on the part of these nurses to incorporate evidence based practice regarding SES, as well as desiring mandated workplace policies and protocols to protect themselves in the OR. |
