Safety

The NFPA gives a thumbs up for surgical preps

Hospital Safety Connection, August 10, 2005

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The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Standards Council voted on July 29 to amend NFPA 99, Healthcare Facilities, to more explicitly allow alcohol-based surgical preps.
 
The amendment recognizes the clinical advantages of using alcohol-based preps, but says that use must be balanced against fire safety concerns during electrosurgical and laser procedures. Precautions that staff must take include allowing preps to dry completely before a procedure and calling "time outs" to make sure conditions are safe before using heat-based surgical tools.
 
The amendment becomes effective on August 18 for the 2005 edition of NFPA 99. To read the full amendment, go here.



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