AORN Journal CE Articles

This February issue includes a CE article on understanding the indications and assessments for and risks of tourniquet use for patients during extremity surgery to improve surgical outcomes and promote safe perioperative care; and a CE article on bone cement and the identification and management of bone cement implantation syndrome. The Clinical Issues column explores the role of the perioperative RN in implantable medical device safety, surgical hand antisepsis for personnel with hand injuries requiring a splint, preoperative antibiotic timing process improvement, and more.

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Tourniquet use during extremity surgery is commonplace and a relatively safe practice. The surgical team’s knowledge of the patient history, proper assessment, and indications and contraindications for and risks of tourniquet use can prevent unwanted outcomes. Exploration of these critical areas reinforces perioperative nurses’ awareness and understanding of safe tourniquet use.

Bone cement implantation syndrome is a potentially fatal complication of orthopedic surgeries that use cement. The symptoms occur primarily during femoral fracture repairs, but this complication has been reported in a wide variety of cemented procedures. This article provides a comprehensive explanation of bone cement, the identification and management of bone cement implantation syndrome, and the roles of the perioperative team in the event of cardiopulmonary collapse.

This month's column addresses the following topics:

• Role of the perioperative RN in implantable medical device safety
• Surgical hand antisepsis for personnel with hand injuries requiring a splint
• Definition clarification: sterility verification versus sterilization validation
• Preoperative antibiotic timing process improvement