AORN Journal
Volume 92, Issue 1 , Page 6, July 2010

Flammable prep agents

Senior Clinical Nurse Consultant, Molnlycke Health Care US, LLC, Baltimore, MD

Article Outline

 

I learned a lot from reading your recent Patient Safety First column “New recommendations for prevention of surgical fires.” I believe it is necessary to give periodic reviews that will promote patient safety in the OR. When I was reviewing information in the sidebar titled “Fire prevention responsibility,” I was interested that the section under fuel sources documented flammable prep agents that included chlorhexidine gluconate: “Flammable prepping agents including tinctures (chlorhexidine gluconate, thimerosal, iodophor).”1(p464) It is my understanding that chlorhexidine gluconate is not flammable. The prep agent becomes flammable after it is combined with alcohol; however, only the alcohol is in fact flammable.

I appreciate any guidance that you have concerning this. I will certainly make an effort to obtain and review the references, which include the 2010 Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices,2, 3 but I am thankful for any assistance from you.

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References 

  1. Watson DS. New recommendations for prevention of surgical fires [Patient Safety First]. AORN J. 2010;91(4):463–469
  2. AORN guidance statement: fire prevention in the operating room. In: Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2010;p. 195–203
  3. Recommended practices for electrosurgery. In: Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2010;p. 105–126

PII: S0001-2092(10)00540-5

doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2010.05.013

Refers to article:

  • Patient Safety First New Recommendations for Prevention of Surgical Fires

    Donna S. Watson
    AORN Journal April 2010 (Vol. 91, Issue 4, Pages 463-469)

AORN Journal
Volume 92, Issue 1 , Page 6, July 2010

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