Ambulatory Practice Resources

AORN Offers Practical Tools and Resources for ASC Staff

AORN is recognized for defining the standards of practice that promote patient safety in surgery settings. In addition to developing the profession's recommended practices and practice guidelines, AORN offers practical tools and resources for applying standards in ambulatory surgery settings.

AORN Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines
The great majority of the recommended practices and guidance statements have specific application to the ambulatory / office-based setting. Ensure your surgery center applies the best practices outlined in AORN's annual Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines publication.

Nurse Consultation
Let us help you implement AORN Recommended Practices in your facility. AORN provides access to expert perioperative nurses with extensive experience in ASC settings. Nurses from AORN's Center for Nursing Practice are involved in developing the Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines and can assist with practical ways the recommended practices can be applied in an ASC. Access nurse consultation services by phone or by email.

AORN Journal
The AORN Journal is an award-winning, peer-reviewed publication, featuring original content on challenges facing perioperative nurses in all the various settings where surgical procedures are performed. The full content of the publication is available to AORN members online. Also accessible, are Clinical Issues articles which offer answers to commonly asked questions from perioperative nurses in a variety of practice settings. CE articles offer the opportunity to earn continuing education units quickly and easily.

AORN Connections
This monthly publication addresses issues relevant to perioperative nursing and highlights the activities of AORN members and the Association. The print publication is supplemented by online news articles and additional resources.

AORN Management Connections
This monthly electronic publication highlights up-to-the-minute news and information impacting perioperative managers and administrators. Each issue features an ASC news column as well as perioperative advocacy news.

AORN Tool Kits
Save valuable time with easy-to-use tools for implementing best practices at your ASC. AORN Tool Kits offer practical tools, including template documents, guidelines, education materials, and more, for addressing critical issues impacting the surgical setting. Some tool kits offer free contact hours for AORN members upon completion of the appropriate forms.

The following AORN tool kits can be accessed at no cost by AORN members:

Fire Safety - a comprehensive resource for raising awareness of surgical fires and for planning fire prevention and response strategies.
Correct Site Surgery - tools to assist health care providers in implementing the Joint Commission Universal Protocol.
Safe Medication Administration - resources that enhance perioperative medication competencies, expand awareness on safe medication administration, and address issues related to perioperative medication practices.
Just Culture - provides education and resources to help you implement a just culture that fosters reporting and analysis of medical errors, leading to patient safety.
Patient 'Hand-Off' - provides the resources to guide perioperative professionals in standardizing hand-off communications among caregivers.

Non-members may purchase select AORN tool kits through the AORN Perioperative Bookstore while supplies last.