Author Biography
Christine E. Sanchez, MPH, Patient Safety Authority
Christine E. Sanchez (chrsanchez@pa.gov) is a research scientist on the Data Science & Research team at the Patient Safety Authority. She is responsible for utilizing patient safety data, combined with relevant literature, to develop strategies aimed at improving patient safety in Pennsylvania.
Abstract
Electrosurgery is used to rapidly cut soft tissue and control bleeding during a variety of surgical procedures.1–3 Some commonly reported complications from electrosurgery include electrical burns,1,4,5 surgical fires,1,5,6 electric shock,4 and malfunction of implanted medical devices such as pacemakers.4 A review of event reports recently submitted to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System (PA-PSRS) identified complications that were less commonly referenced when reviewing the literature about electrosurgery complications: burns from a metal instrument that was in contact with the electrosurgical unit (ESU) and skin injuries from the ESU grounding pad. Knowledge about the principles of electrosurgery2 and how ESUs work2,7 can help prevent complications that may pose a risk to patient safety.
Keywords
patient safety, surgery, Bovie, skin integrity, ESU
References
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