The Effects of Surgical Smoke on Operating Room Nurses and the Precautions They Take for Protection from Surgical Smoke: An Example of Türkiye and Palestine

Objective: This research was carried out to determine the effects of surgical smoke on operating room nurses and the precautions they take to protect themselves from it. Methods: The research was carried out between June 2022 and July 2023 at Atat & uuml;rk University Research Hospital and Al & Scedil;ifa Hospital in Palestine Gaza Strip. The study population consisted of 169 operating room nurses working in the operating rooms of the relevant hospitals. The researchers collected the data face-to-face using a form prepared in accordance with the literature. Results: In the study, the average age of nurses working in Turkey was 30.47 +/- 7.85, and the average age of nurses working in Palestine was 30.67 +/- 5.65. It was determined that 84.3% of the nurses working in Turkey and 68.7% of the nurses working in Palestine were women. 67.1% of the nurses working in Turkey stated that they experienced headaches, 54.3% cough, 50% watery eyes and 41.4% nausea due to surgical smoke. On the other hand, 96% of the nurses working in Palestine stated that they experienced odour in the hair, 50.5% headache, 30.3% dizziness and 21.2% airway inflammation symptoms due to surgical smoke. It has been determined that most nurses in both countries use surgical masks, gloves and gowns to protect themselves from surgical smoke. Conclusion: In both countries, the precautions taken to prevent surgical smoke in the operating rooms were insufficient, and the nurses experienced related symptoms.

Journal

JOURNAL OF NURSOLOGY

Year

2025

Volume

28

Issue

3

ISSN

2822-2954

DOI

10.17049/jnursology.1559403

WoS UID

WOS:001584967100003