Reducing risk of surgical burns

Fires during surgery are raising concerns about the risks of burn injuries to patients. Patient-safety groups and medical specialty organizations are stepping up efforts to raise awareness of risks and provide guidelines for prevention. Hospitals are conducting operating-room fire drills that teach how to fight fires that break out on the drapes, gowns, or skin of surgical patients and extinguish flames. They're also developing training programs to educate staffers on the dangers of burns from medical equipment and procedures.