KIMMO KONTTINEN – TECHNICAL MANAGER; PETRI PELKONEN – DEVELOPMENT MANAGER; PPO-ELEKTRONIIKKA, FINLAND ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Training operating room staff in electrical safety
In this article, Kimmo Konttinen and Petri Pelkonen of Helsinki-based electronics manufacturer PPO-Elektroniikka explain how operating room staff can efficiently prevent serious electrical hazards early through training and the latest technology.
An operating room (OR) is a challenging environment. Technological development, various electronic equipment and complex solutions require diverse skills and knowledge from the staff. The work is very intensive and intensely scheduled; interruptions, dangerous situations and downtime must be avoided in every possible way. There is no time for repairing, learning or testing during the operations. Although technology has advanced
tremendously and electronic medical devices meet all required standards, electrical problems are common in an operating room environment. An electrical hazard can lead to injuries and even fatalities. Therefore, the best possible early warning system must be in place. In addition to that, the staff need to know how to use the equipment correctly and what to do if an electronic device breaks down. This is essential for improving patient and staff safety (Fig 1).
Maximising safety is the sum of many factors We want to raise two issues strongly related to patient safety. One is the functionality and usability of electrical equipment and systems, and the other is the training, orientation and up-to-date information of the staff.
In this article, we reflect on the electrical safety of an OR, what the staff should know about it and how they should be trained to maximise their safety and that of the patient. With the latest technology, hospital staff can efficiently prevent potential serious hazards early before damage occurs. The best possible safety level is obtained through good training and cooperation between OR staff and technical staff.
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Figure 1. An operating room with many electronic medical devices is a challenging environment.
Kimmo Konttinen
Kimmo Konttinen is technical manager at PPO-Elektroniikka Oy. He has 20 years of
experience in medical IT systems, electrical engineering and professional electronics. Kimmo is responsible for technical advice and has developed a concept by which we maintain orientation and support activities for international partners.
Petri Pelkonen Petri Pelkonen is development manager at
PPO-Elektroniikka Oy. He has been working in professional electronics and electrical safety for over 25 years, during which time he has developed three generations of insulating
monitoring equipment. In addition, Petri has worked closely with hospital engineers and electrical engineering offices and has
extensive experience in IT systems and insulation monitoring.
Electrical hazards in an operating room environment Electrical leakage currents occur in old and new electrical devices due to malfunction, ageing and bad design. Common insulation faults include a bad connection, damaged cable insulant, defective component or faulty installation. Fast technological development and the rush to launch medical equipment create new kinds of challenges. Equipment may cause disturbances in the power networks and other electrical devices. OR staff must understand
how electric current reaches and travels through the body, why specific accidents occur and what medical and surgical problems may be expected.
IFHE DIGEST 2022
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