Electrical Safety

Electrical safety in the operating theatre environment has different design principles from domestic areas due to the unique medical environment. Notably, bypassing the protective resistance function of intact skin, as well as the use of conductive pathways which allows significant microcurrents at vulnerable anatomical sites, means that “earthing” currents through the body can result in morbidity and mortality. Additionally, anaesthetised patients are unable to signal pain or retreat from macroshock environments and unanticipated interruption of power supply to critical devices should be avoided.