Detrimental

Effects of
Surgical Plume

By Leonard Lee & Madison Morgan

Agenda
 Introduction

 Primary statement

 Effects of surgical plume

 NQSHS & ACORN standards

 Smoke Evacuator & Smoke

(Surgical Technologies, 2017)

Evacuator Pencil

 Action plan

 Closing
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Primary
Statement
The purpose of this presentation is to emphasis
the importance and the difference that diathermy
smoke evacuation systems will have within the
theatre. Without these evacuation systems the
health and safety of all healthcare workers and
the patients are being put at risk. Evidence will
be used to support the must for the
implementation of diathermy smoke evacuation
systems.
3
(Surgical Technologies, 2017)
Introduction
Surgical plume (Surgical smoke) is an extremely
harmful by-product produced from electrosurgical
instruments such as the diathermy.12,15 Surgical smoke
has been shown to be cytotoxic, genotoxic, and
mutagenic.1,12,14 Surgical plume has detrimental effects
on thousands of healthcare worker’s.10,14
Despite the fact that surgical plume is highly hazardous,
compliance with smoke evacuation is not routine in
QLD.6. ( Lemmons, 2021)

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Effects of Surgical
Plume within theatre
Side effects of surgical plume had been widely
researched for many years.
There are numerous health risks that have been linked to
the exposure to surgical smoke. They range from but are
not limited to:
 Headaches11
 Aggravation of asthma11
 Dermatitis (eye, nose)11
 Throat irritation, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea11.
 Effects the lymphatic circulation causing adverse
respiratory and cardiovascular effects9. (Kay Ball, 2017)
 Cytotoxic components 14
 Transmits diseases and chemicals 7
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 NQSHS & ACORN
Standards
There are many Nursing standards that are hindered by the
noncompliance regarding the use of the diathermy smoke
evacuators, for the purpose of this presentation only some of them
will be discussed.

NQSHS
 “1.29 The physical environment supports
safe and high-quality care and reflects the
patient's clinical needs,”2 and, “1.3 The
clinical governance framework is
comprehensive and effective in improving
safety and quality.”2
 “Action 1.01. The governing body must
assure itself that a culture of safety and
quality improvement operates in the
organisation.”2
ACORN
 Standard 23. All surgical plume generated
during electrosurgery shall be evacuated
with all appropriate evacuation equipment”5
AND
 “Standard SP.27-29 all staff members should
be educated about the side effects of being
exposed to surgical plume” 5
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Smoke Evacuators &
Smoke Evacuation
Pencil
Within Sunnybank Private Hospital there are six
laparoscopic evacuators and we have routine access to
the handheld, showing the capital expenditure
investment has already been made, however currently
they are not being routinely used presenting a
discrepancy between the investment and utilizing that
investment efficiently.

WE CARE, WE DO, WE
STRIVE, WE’RE A TEAM

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Action Plan
Step One
 Ensure that all staff are educated on the health
risks regarding being exposed to surgical plume.
This supports NQSHS standard
“1.08 An effective quality improvement system is
operating across the organization”2
Step Two
 Identify barriers and discuss with VMOs. Ensure they
are aware that they have access to six of them, and
that the equipment has been evaluated. In hopes to
increase compliance with surgical plume evacuators.
Some aspects support NQSHS standard
“3.14 The health service organisation minimises
infection risks to patients and the workforce from
equipment, device, product and environmental hazards.” 2
Step Three
 Ensure that safety and quality systems reports are
provided, and 100% compliance is continuously
worked towards
This supports NQSHS standard
“1.09 Health service organisations provide accurate
and timely information on safety and quality
performance to key stakeholders.”2
Step Four
 Work towards being the first hospital to have an
official policy regarding the mandatory
requirement to use surgical plume evacuators.
This supports NQSHS standard
“1.07 The health service organisation has current,
comprehensive and effective policies, procedures
and protocols that cover safety and quality risks.”2
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Conclusion
Overall, it is undeniable that we need
to achieve 100% compliance
regarding the use of the surgical
smoke evacuators to support quality
care and safety for patients and
workplace safety to staff.

(Stryker, 2022)

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References
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Environmental Dispersion using different devices. Surgical Innovation. 2021;29(2):154–9.
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Nurses; 2023 [cited 2023 May 11]. Available from: https://www.acorn.org.au/standards/
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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. 2020;94(1):107–15. doi:10.1007/s00420-020-01568-9
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https://www.keysurgical.com/News/News/The-Top-3-Dangers-of-Surgical-Smoke
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2019;154(10):960. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2019.2515
10. Lynch J. The ABCs of surgical smoke plume [Internet]. Surgical products; 2009 [cited 2015 July 30] 10
References

11. Merajikhah A, Imani B, Khazaei S, Bouraghi H. Impact of surgical smoke on the surgical team and operating room
nurses and its reduction strategies: A systematic review. Iranian Journal of Public Health. 2022;
doi:10.18502/ijph.v51i1.8289
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review. Surg Endosc 2013;27(9):3100–3107.
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Ethocon; 2017 [cited 2023 May 2]. Available from: https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-GB/campaign/surgical-smoke-
evacuation
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of Perioperative Nursing. 2017;30(4). doi:10.26550/2209-1092.1019
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smoke-free/

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