Surgical Smoke Coalition

The Surgical Smoke Coalition is a pan-European movement bringing together different members who are concerned by the important issue of surgical smoke and the hazards it poses to those exposed. The mission of the Surgical Smoke Coalition is to minimise the risk of harm from exposure to surgical smoke, in particular with regard to healthcare professionals working in operating rooms. Surgical smoke, also known as diathermy plume, occurs during surgery and is produced by using surgical devices such as lasers, electrosurgical units, ultrasonic units, cautery units, and high-speed drills and burrs used to cut and dissect tissue. Surgical smoke can cause direct harms from the particles it contains. It can cause irritation to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin of hospital operating room staff and has been linked to diseases including occupational asthma and chronic pulmonary conditions. The Surgical Smoke Coalition brings together 10 members: •MEP Marianne Vind(S&D, Denmark), co-chair of the Coalition •MEP Dennis Radtke(EPP, Germany), co-chair of the Coalition •EORNA(European Operating Room Nurses Association) •ESNO(European Specialist Nurses Organisations) •Stryker(One of the world’s leading medical technology companies) •EMA(European Medical Association) •UEHP(European Union of Private Hospitals) •UNAIBODE(National Union of Associations of State Certified Operating Room Nurses) •Constance Held(Operating Room nurse) •ATA|OTA(German Professional Association of Anaesthetic and Operating Room Technicians)