2019 Volume 39 Issue 4 Pages 455-459
Operating room fires, which operating room staff including anesthesiologists are highly likely to encounter, are a very important risk management challenge. In the United States, the American Society of Anesthesiologists（ASA）and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation（APSF）have issued guidelines, according to which educational opportunities to gain appropriate knowledge and skills are provided to health care providers in the field. In Japan, however, very few anesthesiologists participate in disaster drills conducted in hospitals and operating rooms. Few educational programs on operating room fire prevention and countermeasures are offered at present. As a result, extensive damage has been reported in rare cases of fire. Health care providers should remember that fire prevention and management are critical skills in operating rooms where patient safety is prioritized. It is essential to provide educational opportunities for health care providers to acquire skills in crisis management.
