AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Resource Center
CoE: RSI Prevention Award
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Welcome
You're on your way to implementing a facility-wide initiative to become a Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention! This recognition program is for facilities that want to protect patient and worker safety by preventing unintentionally retained surgical items, using immersive technology to improve skills and give your team the peace of mind they deserve.
Program Manual
The AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention Program Manual will provide you step-by-step instructions on how to start your facility initiative to prevent unintentionally retained surgical items from your operating and procedure rooms and earn the CoE: RSI Prevention award.
AORN RSI Prevention Award Criteria
- Education Completion: a minimum of 90% of staff enrolled must complete the online education component
- Post-test Score: a minimum of 90% of staff enrolled must score 80% or higher on the post-test
- RSI Prevention Compliance Audit Form: a minimum of 90% compliance must be achieved by week 12 in the audit form
- Adjunct Technology: 1 RSI adjunct technology device for every OR / procedure room
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 - RSI Prevention Award
The Center of Excellence Award is valid for three years. To maintain the designation, facilities must complete the program’s digital recertification attestation every three years, based on the original award date and each subsequent recertification interval. Reminder emails are automatically sent to the designated Program Coordinator prior to each recertification deadline.
Evidence Table - AORN’s Guidelines for the Prevention of Unintentionally Retained Surgical Items
Download the evidence table which provides detail on the evidence supporting AORN's Guidelines for the Prevention of Unintentionally Retained Surgical Items.
Gap Analysis Tool
The Gap Analysis Tool quickly assesses current RSI Prevention practices in your ORs. Use the results of the gap analysis to determine your need for additional policies and/or equipment.
Product Evaluation of Adjunct Technology Form
Start the product evaluation process by using the Product Evaluation of Adjunct Technology Form. This is the process of selecting adjunct technology which gives health care organizations a systematic way to determine and document which devices will best meet their needs.
RSI Prevention Policy & Procedure Template
Use our template to provide guidance to perioperative personnel for preventing retained surgical items (RSIs) during operative or other invasive procedures. The expected outcome is that the patient is free from unintended retained foreign objects. 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
The Facility Coordinator or designated perioperative staff member will conduct a three-month audit of RSI Prevention compliance wherever a surgical count is indicated.
After the audit is complete, please follow the link within the Excel document to submit the final audit score. This will notify AORN that you are ready to be considered for the CoE: RSI Prevention award.
Please be sure to save the Excel document audit form for your facility records.
Competency Verification Tool
For your perioperative team, use the Competency Verification Tool for education and competency verification activities related to RSI Prevention. This step is optional.
Additional Educational Resources
The resources below are available to support your team in your journey to preventing unintentionally retained surgical items.
Marketing Tools
Download and print the following tools to promote the program and your team’s goals to prevent RSIs!
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: ERAS 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 Stryker to schedule a complimentary consultation. AORN does not endorse or support any manufacturer’s product.
This evidence-based program is made possible by Stryker through the AORN Foundation.