The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) have recently released Appendix 3: Non-Airway burns/fires in the operating suites and other anaesthetising locations (2024).
SCV is aware of a recent adverse patient safety event that occurred in a Victorian health service involving a non-airway fire in the operating theatre. Preventing fires in the operating room involves implementing robust safety protocols.
The ANZCA position statement provides specific advice in preventing and managing non-airway non-intrathoracic fires in the operating room.
To find out more, see on the ANZCA website under 'Professional documents' – PS55(A) Position statement on minimum facilities for safe administration of anaesthesia in operating suites and other anaesthetising locations (Appendix 3 2024).