AORN Journal CE Articles

When fires occur in the OR, they are devastating and potentially fatal to both patients and health care workers. Fires can be prevented by understanding the fire triangle and methods of reducing fire risk, conducting fire-risk assessments, and knowing how to respond if a fire occurs. This Back to Basics article addresses the basics of fire prevention and the steps that can be taken to prevent fires from occurring.

The updated AORN "Guideline for Processing Flexible Endoscopes" provides guidance to perioperative, endoscopy, and sterile processing personnel for processing all types of reusable flexible endoscopes and accessories in all procedural settings. This article focuses on key points that address verification of manual cleaning, mechanical cleaning and processing, storage in a drying cabinet, determination of maximum storage time before reprocessing is needed, and considerations for implementing a microbiologic surveillance program.

This month’s Q&A column addresses the following topics: packaging multiple items in a single peel pouch, closed instruments found in instrument trays, organic and inorganic material found in instrument trays, processed endoscopes touching each other, and maximum safe storage time for processed flexible endoscopes.

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