PASS/RACE

Application Overview 

In the hospital setting, rapid response to a fire is critical. Regulatory agencies require annual training for healthcare employees on fire response procedures. This training includes understanding the mnemonic for how to use a fire extinguisher (PASS – Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) and the mnemonic for how to respond to a fire (RACE – Rescue, Alarm, Contain/Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate).‍

Scenario Information

The application begins in the nurse’s station with an introduction to the application and tutorial on how to use the hand controllers. There are 2 scenarios set in 2 different rooms that the user must complete. One is the RACE scenario and the other is the PASS scenario.

RACE Scenario

Set in an operating room, the user must verbalize what the RACE acronym stands for and then demonstrate the correct RACE procedure during a fire in the OR.

RACE Learning Objectives 

Correctly identify all 4 terms in the mnemonic RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Confine/Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate)

• Correctly identify all 4 terms in the mnemonic RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Confine/Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate)
• Identify there is a fire
• Announce code red or fire to the team in the room, notify the hospital operator, fire department or call 911
• Protect and prepare the patient for evacuation: drapes removed, incision covered sterilely, airway protected
• Locate the fire extinguisher
• Assess/acknowledge need for evacuation
• Close OR door after team evacuation
• If elect to extinguish fire use PASS with extinguisher to put out the fire

PASS Scenario

Set in an operating room, the user must verbalize what the PASS acronym stands for and then demonstrate the use of a fire extinguisher on a fire in the OR.

PASS Learning Objectives 

• Correctly identify all 4 terms in the mnemonic PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) Virtually select/pick up the fire extinguisher
• Pull the pin
• Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire
• Squeeze the handle of the extinguisher
• Sweep back and forth until the fire is extinguished

References

https://www.paho.org/disasters/dmdocuments/HospitalsDontBurn%20(1).pdf (Retrieved 1/31/22)

https://www.childrensomaha.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Operating-Room-Fire Response-Protocol_2020.pdf (Retrieved 1/31/22)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096161/ (Retrieved 1/31/22)

https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/patient-safety-topics/the-physical environment/fire-protection/ (Retrieved 1/31/22)