Federal Regulators have Warned That Cutting Cables on BOLS System Can Cause Explosion. Federal regulators have warned that cutting the cable on disposable battery-operated lavage systems (BOLS) can cause toxic fumes, sparks, fires, and explosions. BOLS devices are used to provide pulsed irrigation for the removal of necrotic or infected tissue and debris from wounds. […]
Federal Regulators have Warned That Cutting Cables on BOLS System Can Cause Explosion. Federal regulators have warned that cutting the cable on disposable battery-operated lavage systems (BOLS) can cause toxic fumes, sparks, fires, and explosions. BOLS devices are used to provide pulsed irrigation for the removal of necrotic or infected tissue and debris from wounds. They are powered by 8 to 20 AA batteries.
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued the Federal regulators have warned that cutting the cable on disposable following a report of a patient who was transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit following a wound debridement procedure in the OR with a disposable battery-operated lavage system (BOLS).
A staff member in the OR separated the battery pack from the device by cutting its cable. She put the battery pack on a cart and disposed of the rest of the device. A short time later, the battery pack exploded, spreading ash-like substances throughout the OR. Fortunately, the OR was empty at the time of the explosion, and no one was injured.
The FDA said it has also received reports of sparks and smoke occurring after battery pack cables were cut. The FDA’s investigations into these cases found that the cables had also been cut.
According to the agency, in some cases, the cables were cut because staff members were told to dispose of batteries in hazardous waste instead of with regular trash. In other cases, staff members wished to take batteries home for personal use because very little battery energy is used up during procedures.
According to the FDA, in all of these cases, cutting the battery pack’s cable caused a short circuit. The batteries discharged rapidly and produced intense heat and flammable gases. Pressure that built up inside the battery pack resulted in an explosion.
Battery explosions expel flammable gases and toxic chemicals. The agency warned that even though no serious injury or damages have been reported, patients and staff are at risk any time sparks, arcs, and explosions occur.
The FDA has recommended that hospital staff take the following precautions to avoid the risk of sparks, fires, toxic fumes, and explosions:
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