AORN Journal CE Articles

This December issue includes a CE article on implementing contact precautions to prevent transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms, and a CE article on perioperative fire prevention and mitigation. The Clinical Issues column examines Mold in the OR, removing mold in the OR, cesarean delivery surgical site prep, and commercially available premoistened single- use mop pad use in an ambulatory surgery center.

1. The Role of the Perioperative Nurse in Implementing Contact Precautions to Prevent Transmission of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms
   
   The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider the global increase in multidrug- resistant organisms (MDROs) to be one of the greatest modern threats to public health. Limited treatment options exist for microorganisms such as carbapenem- resistant Enterobacterales and Candida auris; as a result, infected patients may experience poor outcomes. Perioperative nurses should use infection prevention measures (eg, contact precautions) to prevent the spread of emerging MDROs when transporting patients to and from procedures, caring for patients during procedures, and completing between-procedure cleaning. Because nurses are involved with all phases of perioperative care, they are well-positioned to serve as infection prevention champions and provide education to personnel, patients, and caregivers. This article describes actions and steps the perioperative nurse should take during implementation of contact precautions to prevent the transmission of MDROs—specifically, emerging pathogens carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and C auris.
   
   
2. Safety First: Perioperative Fire Prevention and Mitigation
   
   Perioperative leaders should support a safety culture and empower interdisciplinary team members to address unsafe situations proactively—for example, by encouraging staff members to conduct fire risk assessments and allow skin antiseptics to dry thoroughly even when the surgeon wants to skip steps to expedite a procedure. Effective teamwork is a critical component of surgical fire prevention and management. Therefore, leaders and educators should participate on interdisciplinary teams to develop standardized fire prevention and management processes and share information with all team members. The leaders and educators also should support effective communication, especially concerning the potential for surgical fires.

Clinical Issues—December 2021

• Mold in the OR
• Removing mold in the OR
• Cesarean delivery surgical site prep
• Commercially available premoistened single- use mop pad use in an ambulatory surgery center