Covidien Force FX-C, User Manual

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During Surgery
Patient and Operating Room
Safety
Force FX Electrosurgical Generator C User’s Guide 3-9
Active Accessories
Patient Return Electrodes
Warning
Fire Hazard — Do not place active accessories near or in contact with flammable materials (such
as gauze or surgical drapes). Electrosurgical accessories that are activated or hot from use can
cause a fire. Use a holster to hold electrosurgical accessories safely away from patients, the
surgical team, and flammable materials.
Simultaneously activating suction/irrigation and electrosurgical current may result in increased
arcing at the electrode tip, burns to unintended tissues, or shocks and burns to the surgical team.
Some surgeons may elect to “buzz the hemostat” during surgical procedures. It is not
recommended, and the hazards of such a practice probably cannot be eliminated. Burns to the
surgeon’s hands are possible. To minimize the risk:
• Do not lean on the patient, the table, or the retractors while buzzing the hemostat.
• Activate cut rather than coag. Cut has a lower voltage than coag.
• Use the lowest power setting possible for the minimum time necessary to achieve hemostasis.
• Activate the generator after the accessory makes contact with the hemostat. Do not arc to the
hemostat.
• Firmly grasp as much of the hemostat as possible before activating the generator. This disperses
the current over a larger area and minimizes the current concentration at the finger tips.
• “Buzz the hemostat” below hand level (as close as possible to the patient) to reduce the
opportunity for current to follow alternate paths through the surgeon’s hands.
• When using a stainless steel blade electrode, place the flat surface against the hemostat or
other metal instrument.
• When using a coated or nonstick blade electrode, place the edge of the electrode against the
hemostat or other metal instrument.
When not using active accessories, place them in a holster or in a clean, dry, nonconductive, and
highly visible area not in contact with the patient. Inadvertent contact with the patient may result
in burns.
Warning
To avoid patient burns, ensure that the patient return electrode firmly contacts the skin. Always
check the patient return electrode periodically and after the patient is repositioned and during
procedures involving long periods of activation.