AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation Resource Center
Go Clear Award
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Welcome
You're on your way to implementing a facility-wide initiative to becoming a smoke-free facility! This Surgical Smoke-Free Recognition Program is for facilities that want to protect patient and worker safety by providing a smoke-free environment wherever surgical smoke is generated.
Program Manual
The AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation program manual will provide you step-by-step instructions on how to start your facility initiative to eliminate surgical smoke from your operating room and earn the Go Clear Award.
AORN Go Clear Award Criteria
- Completion of Education: a minimum of 90% of staff enrolled must complete the online education components
- ≥ 80% Post-test Score: a minimum of 90% of staff enrolled must score 80% or higher on the post-test
- 90% Smoke Evacuation Compliance: a minimum of 90% compliance must be achieved by week 12 in the audit form
- Smoke Evacuators: 1 per every OR that generates surgical smoke
Award Submission
To be considered for the AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation & Go Clear Award designation, please submit:
- Compliance Audit Tool – completed tool with final results
- Education Report – Enrolled Learners Report
- Attestations – any signed Surgeon/Anesthesia Provider attestations
Access the Award Submission Form
Recertification - Go Clear Award
Evidence Table - Surgical Smoke Safety Guideline
Download the evidence table which provides detail on the evidence supporting AORN's Guidelines for Surgical Smoke Safety.
Gap Analysis Tool
The Gap Analysis Tool will measure the current percentage of surgical procedures evacuating surgical smoke, the number of smoke evacuators, and current usage of smoke evacuation soft goods. Use the results of the gap analysis to determine your need for additional equipment.
Product Evaluation of Smoke Evacuation Devices Form
Start the product evaluation process by using the Product Evaluation of Smoke Evacuation Devices Form. This is the process of selecting smoke evacuation devices which gives health care organizations a systematic way to determine and document which devices will best meet their needs.
Surgical Smoke Policy & Procedure Template
Use our template to provide guidance to perioperative personnel for creating a smoke-free environment, and to develop a Surgical Smoke Policy & Procedure, you may utilize the template provided or develop your own based on the needs of your facility.
Intraprofessional Education
Once registered, you and your team will be able to access the full suite of education components, including pretests, content, and posttests. This is required for award consideration.
- Login to the AORN Learning Center
- Download Scope of Program Delivery - Review who from your team should be enrolled in the program.
- Download the Facility Agreements Guide - Use this guide to enroll your team in the program’s required course. The course takes approximately 45–60 minutes to complete. Progress is automatically saved, so learners can pause and return at any time.
- Download Enrolled Learners Report Guide - Use this guide to monitor course completion and posttest scores through the Enrolled Learners Report.
- Download Physician & Anesthesia Provider Waiver- Only surgeons and anesthesia professionals may opt out of the education component by signing this waiver. Please save all signed waivers for submission when your facility completes the program.
Compliance Audit Monitoring Tool – required for award consideration
Track smoke evacuation adherence wherever a surgical smoke is generated using our audit tool. Follow the instructions on the first sheet.
Competency Verification Tool - RN
For your perioperative RNs, use the Competency Verification Tool for education and competency verification activities related to smoke evacuation. This step is optional.
Competency Verification Tool - Non-RN
For your perioperative team (non-RN), use the Competency Verification Tool for education and competency verification activities related to smoke evacuation. This step is optional.
Management of Surgical Smoke Tool Kit
Exposure to surgical smoke is hazardous to both patients and perioperative team members. Access this collection of current, evidence-based resources to help manage and eliminate surgical smoke from your OR.
Marketing Tools
Download and print the following tools to promote the program and your team’s goals to go surgical smoke-free!
Celebrate Your Achievement
Help us showcase your success!
We invite you to share photos and testimonials from your team to be featured in AORN’s award announcements, website, and promotional materials. Your stories help inspire others and highlight the impact of excellence in perioperative care.
- Review and complete the permission form for AORN marketing to promote your team’s achievements.
- Share photos, testimonials, or examples of how the program has positively impacted your team, along with the completed permission form, with the COE Team.
AORN Support & Feedback
For questions about the AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation program, please contact AORN at COE Support - Center of Excellence - Jira Service Management.
Complimentary Consultation
If you need additional assistance with securing leadership support, developing the business case and/or performing a gap analysis, contact Medtronic to schedule a complimentary consultation. AORN does not endorse or support any manufacturer’s product.
This evidence-based program is made possible by Medtronic through the AORN Foundation.
