title: Patient "grounding".
abstract: Dispersive electrodes are often neglected or misused in electrosurgery. A dispersive electrode can increase electrosurgical safety and effectiveness. If misused, however, it can become the source of patient injury. The following article summarizes the proper use of dispersive electrodes and differentiates them from actual grounding.
authors.affiliation: University of California, Davis.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sebben
mesh_terms: D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004566:Electrodes; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans