In response to the health risks posed by surgical smoke, which contains toxic chemicals, viruses, and bacteria, the Kaiser Roseville Operating Room (OR) has taken proactive steps to safeguard the well-being of its staff.
Surgical smoke, a byproduct of cautery used to control bleeding during procedures, can be harmful if inhaled by OR personnel. To address this, the hospital has purchased smoke evacuator devices for all surgical cases requiring cautery, in compliance with California Law AB1007, set to be enforced in 2027. In January 2024, “Smoke-Free OR Champions” were appointed to advocate for the use of these devices, engage with surgeons during huddles and staff meetings, and ensure that the smoke evacuators are utilized whenever possible. The team also tracked the monthly usage of the devices by each surgeon, recognizing and celebrating those who championed smoke-free practices. As a result, the usage of smoke evacuators has surged from 29 devices in April 2024 to 194 in October 2024. Following the success of this initiative, the program is now being expanded to the Kaiser Folsom OR, further enhancing staff safety across the region.