Surgical Fire Risk Assessment

Each year, there are about 550-660 surgical fires in the U.S., according to the ECRI Institute. About 20-30 surgical fires cause serious injury or disfiguration. One to two fires are fatal, most involving fires in the airway.

ChristianaCare has developed a Fire Risk Assessment score that is incorporated into the Universal Protocol process for all procedures. This is done to enhance communication among all team members to prevent operating room/procedural fires.

Please feel free to use these materials in your fire safety and risk assessment efforts.