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Outpatient Surgery E-Weekly

Contact Congress Over Drug Shortage Issues

A Kentucky congressman is urging surgical facilities to contact their members of Congress and request that they sign his letter demanding changes to...

N.J. Posts ASC Inspection Reports Online

State and federal inspection reports of New Jersey's ASCs are now available online, giving patients an opportunity to make more informed choices abo...

Are Opioids Necessary?

While it's not always practical, or even possible, to eliminate opioids from your post-op pain management regiment, reducing their use in favor of n...

Archive > September, 2006 Vol. VII, No. 9

Electrical Safety in the OR

Understanding basic principles of electricity is key to preventing microshock and electrosurgical burns.

Jeffrey B. Gross, MD

Electricity is ever-present in the perioperative environment, powering tables, lamps, blood warmers, monitors and cautery devices. It's easily conducted by liquids such as IV and irrigation solutions and interstitial fluids, increasing the chances of electrical shock. Further, there are unique electrical risks to patients because of the electrical charges we apply to them - and anesthetized patients are unable to report or withdraw from a painful electrical current, which increases the risk of burns or cardiac arrest. We must take precautions to ensure safety in these circumstances.

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