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One caregiver's journey to help reduce surgical smoke
Surgical smoke exposure shouldn't be "part of the job."
Every year in operating rooms across the U.S., an estimated 500,000 healthcare professionals are exposed to surgical smoke.1 Sixteen U.S. EPA priority pollutants have been identified in smoke plumes resulting from electrosurgical procedures, making them a potentially serious health hazard.2
For Christy Kerling, a clinical educator at a California hospital, the risk of surgical smoke exposure became personal early in her career. A preceptor she worked with died just four months after receiving an unknown lung diagnosis.
“It became my mission to implement smoke-free policies at this hospital,” Kerling says.
The potential dangers of surgical smoke have led to several states enacting legislation that requires healthcare facilities to use systems that capture and neutralize it. But in California, Kerling was advocating for safer surgical environments before legislation was even proposed.
Her efforts contributed to the hospital's implementation of Stryker’s SafeAir smoke evacuation system and other surgical solutions, with the goal of helping enhance safety for its patients and staff. This approach also reflects a growing recognition that exposure to surgical smoke shouldn’t be accepted as “part of the job,” and that technology can make a difference.
The journey to help reduce surgical smoke
Kerling has a passion for surgery safety and is involved with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses’(AORN) Go Clear program. When she started working at the California hospital, introducing SafeAir smoke evacuation pencils to the facility was first on her list. The technology is designed to help reduce surgical smoke at the cautery site, in addition to staff and patient exposure. Implementing smoke-free solutions is one step toward receiving AORN’s Go Clear program award. Participating hospitals and healthcare facilities are recognized for helping reduce surgical smoke by implementing a comprehensive program, which includes staff guidance, smoke evacuation technology and compliance audits.
Kerling says the hospital’s Stryker representative connected her with an AORN program coordinator to begin the process. The health system has now participated in the program for more than seven years. To maintain the GoClear designation, healthcare facilities must complete the program’s digital recertification attestation every three years. However, Kerling reports staff at this hospital complete training annually.
Despite initial pushback from change-averse staff, she shares that completing the education helped them realizethe benefit. The state of California later enacted surgical smoke evacuation legislation, reinforcing the importanceof Kerling’s efforts. It was also the final push needed to write and implement hospital policy to help clear the air.
How smoke evacuation solutions make a difference in the OR
At Kerling’s hospital, implementing surgical smoke evacuation solutions appears to have helped lead to fewer respiratory irritation complaints among staff in the OR. Without the technology, patients and staff at the hospital were exposed to substances shown to be cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic.3 Kerling says the hospital adopted Stryker’s SafeAir system, which includes pencils designed to help reduce surgical smoke exposure at the cautery site. Both the standard and telescopic devices connect to the SafeAircompact, an easily portable device featuring ULPA filtration of 99.999% efficiency at 0.1 microns.⁴,⁵
Stryker’s smoke evacuation portfolio extends beyond the SafeAir pencils and compact. It includes the Neptune 3 waste management system as well as the PhotonBlade 3 SE advanced monopolar energy. Kerling says her hospital adopted the Neptune system, which helps enhance workflows and reduces staff exposure to fluid waste by eliminating the need to lift and dump heavy canisters. The rover also supports surgical smoke safety with an integrated smoke evacuator and an 80-hour ULPA filter that is compatible with the pencils. The healthcare facility’s outcomes with SafeAir and Neptune systems reflect the meaningful impact technology can have on both patient and staff well-being, as well as workflow efficiency.
Help protect your patients and OR staff
While California now requires surgical smoke evacuation, Kerling believes all healthcare facilities should act now rather than wait for regulatory requirements. Exposure to the potentially hazardous particles poses risks to staff and patient safety. One study found that OR nurses experienced double the incidence of respiratory problems.6
“Once staff understand why we’re doing this, everyone gets on board. It’s about keeping our patients—and ourselves—safe,” Kerling says.
For healthcare facilities exploring surgical smoke evacuation solutions, Kerling’s hospital demonstrates howStryker’s technology supports staff and patient safety. The SafeAir and Neptune systems have helped reducetheir exposure to surgical smoke and fluid waste, while complying with California legislative and regulatoryrequirements.
As awareness of surgical smoke exposure continues to expand, more states may consider legislative action and join the growing list. But healthcare facilities don't need to wait for mandates to take steps toward helping protect staff and patients. Discover how Stryker’s surgical smoke evacuation portfolio is supporting safer OR environments today.
References:
1. Canicoba ARB. Surgical smoke and occupational health. Ann Transl Med. 2022 Dec;10(24):1303. doi:10.21037/atm-22-5631. PMID: 36660725; PMCID: PMC9843373.
2. Näslund Andréasson S, Mahteme H, Sahlberg B, Anundi H. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in electrocautery smoke during peritonectomy procedures. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:929053. doi: 10.1155/2012/929053.
3. Alp E, Bijl D, Bleichrodt RP, Hansson B, Voss A. Surgical smoke and infection control. J Hosp Infect. 2006 Jan;62(1):1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2005.01.014.
4. Pierce JS, Lacey SE, Lippert JF, Lopez R, Franke JE. Laser-generated air contaminants from medical laser applications: a state-of-the-science review of exposure characterization, health effects, and control. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2011;8(7):447-466.
5. DVerR-021A-08 Design Verification Report – Filter verification rev. 1.pdf DIOVV D0000015644 UN1-1-3
6. Ball K. Surgical smoke evacuation guidelines: compliance among perioperative nurses. AORN J. 2010 Aug;92(2):e1-23. doi: 10.1016/j.aorn.2009.10.026.
Christy Kerling is a paid consultant of Stryker. The opinions expressed by Christy Kerling are those of Christy
Kerling and not necessarily those of Stryker. Individual experiences may vary.
A healthcare professional must always rely on their own professional clinical judgment when deciding whether to use a particular product when treating a particular patient. Stryker does not dispense medical advice and recommends that healthcare professionals be trained in the use of any product before using the product.
The information presented is intended to demonstrate the breadth of Stryker product offerings. A healthcare professional must always refer to the package insert, product label and/or instructions for use. Products may not be available in all markets because product availability is subject to the regulatory and/ or medical practices in individual markets.
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