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

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.