Surgical Smoke Evacuation Compliance: Barriers and Strategies Used Among Perioperative Nurses

Abstract

Background: Despite the known hazards of surgical smoke, smoke evacuation method (LEV, N95 respirator) compliance is objectively low and there remains no definitive guideline for these procedures.

Objectives:The purpose of this integrative literature review was to determine the barriers to and strategies used to increase the level of surgical smoke evacuation compliance among perioperative nurses.

Method:An integrative literature review guided by Kurt Lewin’s change theory was conducted using the databases of CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest. The search terms included: surgical smoke evacuation, plume, electro-surgery, laser, diathermy, adherence, compliance, guidelines, protocols, occupational standards, policy, procedure, perioperative, inter-operative, barriers, strategies, and nursing.

Results:Three major barriers to surgical smoke evacuation compliance among perioperative nurses were identified among the eight selected studies. These included surgeon refusal, distractibility of equipment, and lack of equipment. The strategies used to increase the level of surgical smoke evacuation compliance among perioperative nurse included education, management support, and ease of use/ easy to follow guidelines.

Conclusion: Further research that focuses on the actual application or execution of these forces (barriers and strategies) are needed to help more accurately determine those that have the greatest impact on the level of compliance among perioperative nurses.