Evaluation of the Knowledge and Performance of Anesthesia and Operating Room Staff about Fire Sources and Ways to Prevent and Control them in Hospitals Affiliated with Ilam University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Due to the presence of causes of fire in the operating room,  that these kinds of accidents likely take place in these places. Therefore, it is necessary for the operating room staff, including the anesthesia team and the operating room, to have sufficient information in order to prevent the accident and function properly during the accident. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and performance of anesthesia and operating room staff regarding fire sources and ways to prevent and control them. Material & Methods: A total of 60 anesthesiologists and operating room staff of hospitals affiliated with Ilam University of Medical Sciences participated in this descriptive study by census method. Data collection tools were demographic characteristics form and researcher-made questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16). (Ethic code: IR.MEDILAM.REC.1399.305) Findings: The results showed that the mean score of staff knowledge was 48.67±10.14, and the knowledge of the majority of the staff was almost at the average level (83.3%). Moreover, the mean performance score of the staff was 12.85± 3.89, and the performance of the majority of the staff was almost at the average level (n=34, 56.7%). The level of performance of the majority of anesthesia personnel regarding the prevention of fire and safety (58.6%) and training to get acquainted with the formation of fire and its control (68.9%) has been relatively high. However, their performance in terms of familiarity with fire extinguishers in the operating room (72.4%), as well as the location and use of the fire alarm system in the operating room was at the average level (44.8%). Discussion & Conclusion: Based on the research findings, the level of knowledge and performance of the staff about the sources and conditions of fire formation in the operating room was not desirable. Therefore, holding training sessions and courses to improve the performance of these staff during a fire is recommended.