Joint Commission issues alert on surgical fire prevention

The Joint Commission this week released a Sentinel Event Alert to make surgical teams aware of risk factors for surgical fires and to identify strategies and actions to prevent them. Major factors contributing to surgical fires include shortcomings in teamwork and communication, work design, workforce and staff and equipment, according to The Joint Commission. Approximately 90 to 100 surgical fires occur each year in the U.S. and most are associated with the use of an electrosurgical device while performing head and neck surgery. The full alert may be reproduced if credited to The Joint Commission. (Joint Commission news release, 10/18/23)