High Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO) and Fire Risk – cautionary note on device usage

Fire in the operating room is a rare but potentially devastating event. HFNO’s role in difficult airway management is a significant advancement however great caution must be taken with its use in the presence of an ignition source during airway and head and neck surgery.
 
When ANZCA is made aware of an incident having occurred, we reissue this safety alert to remind anaesthetists of this fire risk.