There seems to be a growing demand for using energy based surgical equipment, such as electrosurgery units (ESUs), lasers, harmonic scalpels and now cold plasma devices, to cut and/or remove affected patient tissues. These devices all generate heat at the tissue level and create smoke plumes, to a greater or lesser degree. Hospitals and surgery centers need to be sure that they are meeting health and safety requirements to protect their patients, surgeons and other OR staff members from the potentially hazardous effects of these smoke plumes. According to the Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN), they should consider employing smoke evacuators as a comprehensive solution to augment the OR ventilation system and minimize the potentially hazardous smoke and gases generated by these devices. Smoke evacuators are an essential tool for protecting operating room staff and patients who may be at risk for inhaling the smoke created during these procedures.
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