FOI Request
- Disclosure ID
- FOI/02346
- Request Date
- April 10, 2018
- Subject
- Operating Theatre Fire Incidents
- Description
- What is the number of operating theatre fire incidents reported in Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for the period 2010-2018? Please provide a breakdown for each year.
- Can you please include a breakdown of the type of operating theatre fire incidents for the period 2010-2018, broken down by each year and characterised as follows:
- chemical ignition
- chemical related
- diathermy related
- equipment related
- other reported in Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust? Please provide a breakdown for each year.
- What is the number of operating theatre fire incidents related to alcoholic skin preparation agents specifically reported in Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s for the period 2010-2018? Please provide a breakdown for each year.
- Can you please include additional details on the number of operating theatre fire incidents that resulted in an injury for the patient, i.e. burn reported in Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for the period 2010-2018? Please provide a breakdown for each year.
- Can you please describe what prevention protocols are in place to avoid operating theatre fire accidents in Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust? Please attach a copy of any protocols.
- Does Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provide any prevention training courses for operating theatre healthcare professionals on operating theatre fire incidents? If so please provide details.
- Response
- One incident reported
- C. Diathermy related – Dated 25/04/2012
- Dated 25/04/2012 alcohol based
- None
- Staff to be aware of trials policy
Areas of pooling for fluid must be fully examined before surgical draping takes place. Availability of fire resistant swabs to be investigated by theatre staff. - Only Mandatory Fire Safety Awareness Training.
Additional information:
Below are the fire related protocols our Trust has in place. Having only had one surgical burns incident several years ago that did not result in patient injury, there are no other protocols being implemented; however, risk assessments are carried out bi-annually providing there are no incidents, which would trigger a risk assessment.
Portable appliance testing is carried out regularly
Periodic testing on the hard wiring is timetabled in. Poor electrical installations, e.g. Overloads, heating from bunched cables, damaged cable;
Gas appliances are serviced 6 monthly
Smoking is banned in all areas
Naked flames, e.g. gas or liquid-fuelled open-flame equipment; there is a slam shut on gas appliances
Electrical convector heaters are banned on site
Electrical, gas or oil-fired heaters (fixed or portable), room heaters;
Hot processes/hot work, e.g. Welding by contractors is only allowed within controlled environments
Cooking equipment, hot ducting, flues and filters are cleaned regularly
Extract fans for dust and fume removal systems, e.g. By build-up of debris;
Failure of temperature control thermostats on hot work/cooking processes – regular services are performed
Light fittings and lighting equipment, e.g. Halogen lamps are being replaced with led lamps