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September 2021 Issue
This September issue includes a CE article on instrument cleaning recommendations related to prepurchase evaluation, point-of-use treatment, transport, cleaning and decontamination, and education; and a CE article on the role of the perioperative nurse related to preoperative patient skin antisepsis. The Clinical Issues column explores interviewing the patient about cannabis use, AORN guidance for non-OR settings, using personal continuous positive airway pressure devices in the perioperative setting, and screening for cognitive impairment in the older adult patient.
Featured CE Articles
1. Guidelines in Practice: Instrument Cleaning
Processing encompasses point-of use removal of organic and inorganic material, transport to the processing area, use of chemicals and equipment to clean and decontaminate the item, and inspection for cleanliness and function. The AORN “Guideline for care and cleaning of surgical instruments” provides general guidance for care of reusable medical devices. This article discusses the guideline recommendations related to prepurchase evaluation, point-of-use treatment, transport, cleaning and decontamination, and education.
2. Back to Basics 2.0: Preoperative Patient Skin Antisepsis
Preoperative patient skin antisepsis involves removing soil and transient microorganisms at the site of surgery and reduces the risk of the patient developing a surgical site infection. Skin antiseptics are designed to rapidly and persistently remove transient microorganisms and reduce resident microorganisms to minimal levels. This article reviews basic concepts related to decolonization and skin antisepsis based on the recently revised AORN “Guideline for preoperative patient skin antisepsis,” which perioperative nurses should review in its entirety.
Clinical Issues
Clinical Issues—September 2021
This month’s Q&A column addresses the following topics:- Interviewing the patient about cannabis use
- AORN guidance for non-OR settings
- Using personal continuous positive airway pressure devices in the perioperative setting
- Screening for cognitive impairment in the older adult patient
