Electrosurgery Is Dangerous

Before the procedure:

Examine the equipment and accessoriesDO NOT USE:

Cables and accessories with damaged (cracked, burned, or taped) insulation or connectors elled return electrodes! with dry or discolored areas

"e sure that accessories ha#e been reprocessed and sterili$ed according to hospital policy% Check operation o& the return electrode contact quality monitor% "e sure that the audible acti#ation indicator can be heard% I& possible, don't place the return electrode near pacemaker leads% (eep EC electrodes &ar &rom the surgical site and the return electrode% (eep electrosurgical cables away &rom the patient and &rom monitoring cables% )#oid accumulating pools o& prepping agents and other &luids around the patient% Don't spark the acti#e electrode!! to ground or to the return electrode%

During the procedure:

Don't continue to increase power settings i& you aren't getting results look &or other problems% *lace acti#e electrodes in holsters when not in use% +bser#e appropriate &ire precautions when using +,, -,+, or &lammable prepping agents, especially in head and neck surgery% )cti#ate the unit only when ready to deli#er electrosurgical current% )#oid prolonged acti#ation% .se the lowest e&&ecti#e E/. output setting% Check contact with the return electrode a&ter repositioning the patient%

000000000000000000000000 ! )lso called ground plate, patient plate, butt plate, grounding pad, or dispersi#e pad electrodes% !! )lso called pencil, blade, kni&e, loop, ball, or acti#e handle electrodes%