Publication: Análisis del conocimiento y percepción del riesgo del humo quirúrgico en los profesionales del área quirúrgica
Authors
Annese Pérez, Sergio David
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Escuela Internacional de Doctorado
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García Marín, José Andrés ; Soria Aledo, Victoriano
Publisher
Universidad de Murcia
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DOI
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info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
Description
Abstract
INTRODUCCIÓN: El humo quirúrgico es un subproducto de la interacción de instrumentos de energía (electrobisturí, bisturí ultrasónico, láser, etc.) con los tejidos. Está compuesto principalmente por vapor de agua, junto con compuestos tóxicos, partículas biológicas y restos celulares, lo que lo convierte en un contaminante nocivo para los profesionales expuestos. Aunque existen medidas preventivas eficaces como sistemas de evacuación y mascarillas de alta filtración, su aplicación sigue siendo limitada, en gran parte por el desconocimiento y la escasa formación sobre este riesgo ocupacional.
OBJETIVOS: 1) Analizar el grado de conocimiento y percepción del riesgo del humo quirúrgico en los profesionales del área quirúrgica. 2) Traducir y validar la encuesta sobre conocimiento de riesgo del humo quirúrgico de Fereidouni et al.: ´´Knowledge about the effects of electrosurgery smoke among operating room nurses during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study´´. 3) Describir los resultados de la encuesta traducida y adaptada sobre el conocimiento y percepción de los riesgos de exposición al humo quirúrgico. 4) Examinar el grado de conocimiento de los profesionales del área quirúrgica, identificando fortalezas y carencias en relación con los riesgos y medidas de prevención del humo quirúrgico. 5) Explorar la asociación entre el grado de conocimiento y percepción y las características sociodemográficas de los profesionales participantes.
MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: El estudio se realizó bajo un enfoque metodológico cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal tras la aplicación de un instrumento de medición traducido y validado. Este instrumento (encuesta), fue enviado de forma online a través de la plataforma Google Forms. El primer apartado fue una hoja informativa donde se tenía que firmar un consentimiento informado y el segundo apartado, la encuesta. La encuesta fue enviada en 3 oportunidades en el periodo de 2 meses, a los profesionales sanitarios inscritos en el Programa Cirugía Segura promovido por el Ministerio de Sanidad Español que consta de 9077 miembros del sector sanitario.
RESULTADOS: La tasa de respuesta fue 10,3% (935 participantes), con edad media de 45,8 ± 9,2 años y 19,9 ± 9,1 años de experiencia. La mayoría fueron hombres 75,7% (n = 708). Madrid 26,4% (n = 247) y Castilla y León 16,9% (n = 158) fueron las comunidades más representadas. Los enfermeros fueron el grupo mayoritario 55,1% (n = 515); entre los cirujanos, los cirujanos generales representaron el 8,6% (n = 80). El 80,5% (n = 753) no había recibido formación sobre el humo quirúrgico, aunque el 64,6% (n = 604) consideró importante recibirla. El 44,2% (n= 413) reportó poco conocimiento sobre medidas preventivas. En la práctica, el 35,4% (n = 331) nunca usa mascarillas de alta filtración, el 48,8% (n = 456) no emplea extractores de humo en cirugía abierta y el 31,3% (n = 293) tampoco en cirugía endoscópica.
CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio validó en español el instrumento “Knowledge about the effects of electrosurgery smoke among operating room nurses during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study”, confirmando su fiabilidad para evaluar el conocimiento sobre humo quirúrgico. Los hallazgos muestran un elevado desconocimiento y baja formación sobre riesgos y prevención, así como el limitado uso de medidas de protección, especialmente entre profesionales jóvenes y en algunas regiones. La ausencia de diferencias por género o tipo de centro indica un problema generalizado, con desigualdades territoriales en formación y aplicación de estrategias. Se resalta la necesidad de políticas educativas y preventivas homogéneas para mejorar la protección de los profesionales expuestos.
INTRODUCTION: Surgical smoke is a by-product generated by the interaction of energy-based instruments (electrocautery, ultrasonic scalpel, laser, etc.) with tissue. It consists primarily of water vapor, along with toxic chemical compounds, viable biological particles, and cellular debris, making it a potentially harmful contaminant for healthcare professionals exposed to its inhalation. Although effective preventive measures such as smoke evacuation systems and high-filtration masks are available, their implementation in routine clinical practice remains limited, largely due to lack of awareness and insufficient training regarding this occupational hazard. OBJECTIVES: 1) This study aims to analyze the level of knowledge and risk perception regarding surgical smoke among surgical area professionals. 2) Translate, culturally adapt, and validate the survey developed by Fereidouni et al. (“Knowledge about the effects of electrosurgery smoke among operating room nurses during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study”) for local use. 3) Describe the results of the adapted survey regarding knowledge and perception of surgical smoke exposure risks. 4) Evaluate the professionals’ knowledge levels to identify strengths and gaps related to surgical smoke hazards and preventive measures. 5) Explore the association between knowledge and risk perception with participants’ sociodemographic characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study employed a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design using a translated and validated measurement instrument. The instrument, in the form of a survey, was administered online via the Google Forms platform. The first section included an informational sheet requiring participants to provide informed consent, while the second section contained the survey questions. The survey was distributed on three separate occasions over a two-month period to healthcare professionals enrolled in the “Safe Surgery” program, promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Health, which comprises 9,077 members of the healthcare sector. RESULTS: The response rate was 10.3% (935 participants), with a mean age of 45.8 ± 9.2 years and a mean professional experience of 19.9 ± 9.1 years. Most respondents were male (75.7%, n = 708). The regions with the highest participation were Madrid (26.4%, n = 247) and Castilla y León (16.9%, n = 158). Nurses were the largest professional group (55.1%, n = 515); among surgeons, general surgeons accounted for 8.6% (n = 80). A total of 80.5% (n = 753) reported not having received training on surgical smoke, although 64.6% (n = 604) considered such training to be very important. In terms of knowledge, 44.2% (n = 413) reported limited awareness of preventive measures. Regarding preventive practices, 35.4% (n = 331) never used high-filtration masks (N95/FFP2), 48.8% (n = 456) did not use smoke evacuators in open surgery, and 31.3% (n = 293) did not use them in endoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study validated in Spanish the instrument “Knowledge about the effects of electrosurgery smoke among operating room nurses during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study,” confirming its reliability for assessing knowledge about surgical smoke. The findings reveal a high level of unawareness and insufficient training regarding associated risks and preventive strategies, as well as limited use of protective measures especially among younger professionals and in certain regions. The absence of differences by gender or type of healthcare center indicates a widespread problem, with territorial disparities reflecting inequalities in training and implementation of protective strategies. These results highlight the urgent need for standardized educational and preventive policies to ensure better protection for healthcare professionals exposed to surgical smoke
INTRODUCTION: Surgical smoke is a by-product generated by the interaction of energy-based instruments (electrocautery, ultrasonic scalpel, laser, etc.) with tissue. It consists primarily of water vapor, along with toxic chemical compounds, viable biological particles, and cellular debris, making it a potentially harmful contaminant for healthcare professionals exposed to its inhalation. Although effective preventive measures such as smoke evacuation systems and high-filtration masks are available, their implementation in routine clinical practice remains limited, largely due to lack of awareness and insufficient training regarding this occupational hazard. OBJECTIVES: 1) This study aims to analyze the level of knowledge and risk perception regarding surgical smoke among surgical area professionals. 2) Translate, culturally adapt, and validate the survey developed by Fereidouni et al. (“Knowledge about the effects of electrosurgery smoke among operating room nurses during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study”) for local use. 3) Describe the results of the adapted survey regarding knowledge and perception of surgical smoke exposure risks. 4) Evaluate the professionals’ knowledge levels to identify strengths and gaps related to surgical smoke hazards and preventive measures. 5) Explore the association between knowledge and risk perception with participants’ sociodemographic characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study employed a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional design using a translated and validated measurement instrument. The instrument, in the form of a survey, was administered online via the Google Forms platform. The first section included an informational sheet requiring participants to provide informed consent, while the second section contained the survey questions. The survey was distributed on three separate occasions over a two-month period to healthcare professionals enrolled in the “Safe Surgery” program, promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Health, which comprises 9,077 members of the healthcare sector. RESULTS: The response rate was 10.3% (935 participants), with a mean age of 45.8 ± 9.2 years and a mean professional experience of 19.9 ± 9.1 years. Most respondents were male (75.7%, n = 708). The regions with the highest participation were Madrid (26.4%, n = 247) and Castilla y León (16.9%, n = 158). Nurses were the largest professional group (55.1%, n = 515); among surgeons, general surgeons accounted for 8.6% (n = 80). A total of 80.5% (n = 753) reported not having received training on surgical smoke, although 64.6% (n = 604) considered such training to be very important. In terms of knowledge, 44.2% (n = 413) reported limited awareness of preventive measures. Regarding preventive practices, 35.4% (n = 331) never used high-filtration masks (N95/FFP2), 48.8% (n = 456) did not use smoke evacuators in open surgery, and 31.3% (n = 293) did not use them in endoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study validated in Spanish the instrument “Knowledge about the effects of electrosurgery smoke among operating room nurses during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study,” confirming its reliability for assessing knowledge about surgical smoke. The findings reveal a high level of unawareness and insufficient training regarding associated risks and preventive strategies, as well as limited use of protective measures especially among younger professionals and in certain regions. The absence of differences by gender or type of healthcare center indicates a widespread problem, with territorial disparities reflecting inequalities in training and implementation of protective strategies. These results highlight the urgent need for standardized educational and preventive policies to ensure better protection for healthcare professionals exposed to surgical smoke
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