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The SAGES Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy program (FUSE): history, development, and purpose

  • SAGES FUSE PROGRAM
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Abstract

Background

Adverse events due to energy device use in surgical operating rooms are a daily occurrence. These occur at a rate of approximately 1–2 per 1000 operations. Hundreds of operating room fires occur each year in the United States, some causing severe injury and even mortality. The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) therefore created the first comprehensive educational curriculum on the safe use of surgical energy devices, called Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE). This paper describes the history, development, and purpose of this important training program for all members of the operating room team.

Methods

The databases of SAGES and the FUSE committee as well as personal photographs and documents of members of the FUSE task force were used to establish a brief history of the FUSE program from its inception to its current status.

Results

The authors were able to detail all aspects of the history, development, and national as well as global implementation of the third SAGES Fundamentals Program FUSE.

Conclusions

The written documentation of the making of FUSE is an important contribution to the history and mission of SAGES and allows the reader to understand the idea, concept, realization, and implementation of the only free online educational tool for physicians on energy devices available today. FUSE is the culmination of the SAGES efforts to recognize gaps in patient safety and develop state-of-the-art educational programs to address those gaps. It is the goal of the FUSE task force to ensure that general FUSE implementation becomes multinational, involving as many countries as possible.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Dr. Marc Allen Rozner, PhD, MD (1952–2017), who was a significant contributor and leader to the FUSE program before his death in January 2017. He will be remembered as a brilliant innovator in translating complex electrophysiological processes into easily understood concepts for the practicing health care provider.

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Correspondence to P. Fuchshuber.

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Fuchshuber, P., Schwaitzberg, S., Jones, D. et al. The SAGES Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy program (FUSE): history, development, and purpose. Surg Endosc 32, 2583–2602 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-017-5933-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-017-5933-y

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