Key Takeaways: 2021 New Guideline for Electrosurgical Safety

TAKEAWAY:

When the use of electrosurgery is possible for a patient with an implanted electronic device (IED), perform the interventions prescribed by the team managing the device or the device manufacturer.

EXPLANATION:

• (NEW) Consulting preoperatively with the team managing the device helps the surgical team determine interventions to be performed for safe use of electrosurgery with the specific IED (eg, using a magnet on a pacemaker, disconnecting a cochlear implant).1. & 5.2.
  
• (NEW) When the team managing the device is not available, consult with the device manufacturer. 2.
  
• (NEW) Have an interdisciplinary team develop and implement a support tool that contains interventions to perform for a patient with an IED, for use when the team managing the IED or the manufacturer cannot be contacted.

Related Resources

Address day-to-day clinical issues with eGuidelines Plus, a digital subscription that provides access to AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice with real-time updates and hundreds of valuable implementation tools. An eGuidelines Plus subscription gives hospitals, ASCs, and health systems evidence-based clinical support to improve patient safety and quality outcomes.

• Guideline for Electrosurgical Safety
• More Tools Related to Electrosurgical Safety

Free Resources for Members

• Guideline Essentials - Download customizable and ready-to-use templates and tools to easily implement evidence-based practice.
• AORN Webinar- Electrosurgery: Guideline Update 2021 Replay (1 CH)