Patient Safety First

AORN has a demonstrated a long-standing commitment to surgical patient safety. As part of this commitment, the Patient Safety First initiative was launched in 2002 with the purpose of providing direction for AORN patient safety activities and assisting members in meeting The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals. AORN would like to recognize Sandel Medical for their generous financial contribution that funded the launch of the Patient Safety First initiative.

Since that time, AORN has become a recognized leader in surgical patient safety and much of its activities around education and evidence-based nursing practice directly or indirectly support patient safety.

Look for the Patient Safety First icon throughout this website to identify resources and tools that directly support patient safety. From education activities to practical tools and professional standards, AORN offers a wealth of useful content to enrich your understanding of patient safety and to implement best practices in your workplace.

Following are just some of the ways AORN supports surgical patient safety:

National Time Out Day - AORN sponsors National Time Out Day, in support of The Joint Commission's Universal Protocol, to raise awareness about the importance of requiring the entire surgical team to pause before all invasive procedures to help prevent errors.
Correct Site Surgery Tool Kit - Provides a set of practical resources and hands-on tools that promote the effective implementation of the Universal Protocol.
Nurse Consultation - AORN members may consult with AORN's perioperative nursing experts on matters of patient safety.
AORN Tool Kits - In addition to the Correct Site Surgery Tool Kit, AORN offers other resource packages to address practical patient safety issues such as fire safety, safe medication, patient hand-off, human factors, and more.
Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety - AORN took the lead in creating a coalition of organizations whose members collaborate to improve the care of the patients they serve. Member organizations include AORN, ACS, ASA, AANA, ASPAN, AASPA, and AST.
Executive Symposium on Surgical Patient Safety - This annual event includes surgical teams from across the country who come together to discuss emerging issues in the surgical setting and imperative steps to improving surgical patient safety.
Public Policy - The Government Affairs Department at AORN advocates for and promotes patient safety through public policy and legislative initiatives at the state and federal levels.
OR Protocol Course - This education activity provides health care industry representatives with comprehensive information to be prepared in their various roles in the perioperative setting.