Anesthesiologists must do a better job of preventing operating room fires.

摘要

The report by Kaddoum et al in this issue of the Journal of Clinical Anesthesia points out that fires are tragically still all too common during surgery. It is therefore necessary for all operating room personnel to consider the reasons for the frequent occurrence of these fires so that greater efforts at prevention can be undertaken. It is unacceptable for such personnel (including anesthesia providers) to say that they have never heard about this complication or they were not trained in its prevention. Unfortunately, efforts to disseminate the facts about such disasters are often hampered by "gag" rules that are demanded by the terms of legal settlements. Kaddoum et al are to be thanked for sharing the details of these cases with others.