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June 2018 Issue
This June issue include a CE article on implementing a colorectal incision closure bundle to effectively reduce surgical site infection rates and another CE article on packaging instruments correctly to facilitate proper sterilization of package contents and help ensure patients receive safe and high-quality surgical care. The Clinical Issues column explores OR to postanesthesia care unit hand overs, compounding medications, and mixing preoperative eye blocks.
Featured CE Articles
Surgical Smoke: Putting the Pieces Together to Become Smoke Free
Although many regulatory agencies agree that surgical smoke is dangerous, they have been slow to commit to a firm standard to address the inhalation hazards related to surgical smoke. With the clear evidence supporting the need to filter surgical smoke, perioperative nurses and surgical technologists at our facility implemented a plan to protect patients and staff members. Perioperative personnel tested multiple smoke evacuating products to determine which best met the needs of our staff members and facility, and our ORs are now smoke-free.
Guideline Implementation: Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism
The updated AORN “Guideline for prevention of venous thromboembolism” provides guidance to perioperative team members for developing and implementing a protocol for VTE prevention. This article focuses on key points of the guideline that address preoperative patient assessment for VTE and bleeding risk, safe use of pharmacologic and mechanical prophylaxis, patient education on prevention and signs and symptoms of VTE, and a quality management program to evaluate VTE prophylaxis outcomes and protocol compliance.
Clinical Issues—June 2018
June’s column addresses the following topics:
- Noise in the OR. AORN recommends an interdisciplinary team approach for planning strategies to reduce distractions and noise and create a safer OR environment.
- Staff retention. Engaging with perioperative team members in a way that supports professional development and promotes job satisfaction is crucial to staff retention in the OR.
- Staying with the postanesthesia care unit RN when on call. Organizations must develop protocols for on-call staffing by using guidance provided by AORN and the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses.
