The movement to remove toxic surgical smoke from the nation’s ORs has reached another milestone, as 20 states have now passed laws that mandate usage of smoke...

Strong communication is the essential component in a perioperative culture of safety. It means clear, consistent and respectful interactions among all team members to...

Sentinel events are often referred to as “never events” because of the potentially serious harm they pose to patients that should never happen....

More than two decades after the landmark Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was passed in 2000, approximately 385,000 sharps-related injuries still occur in healthcare...

It’s been more than five years since the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world of surgery (and the entire planet). Luckily, there’s no indication of a similarly disruptive...

The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) has released six updated guidelines since April 2024, with more updates on the way in the coming months....

SC leaders are facing unprecedented challenges. Many of you are juggling conflicting priorities, such as meeting regulatory requirements, increasing revenue and reducing...

The “important part” of the surgery is over, and the sense of relief in the OR is palpable....

Double-gloving and sharps safety are separate but equally important measures. Unfortunately, both areas can present major problems for leaders....

Imagine this nightmare scenario: A large new endoscopy center is designed. Local officials review the construction plans. The facility is built. Those same officials conduct...

Cord management is a recurring problem for many nurses when they bring patients into the OR. Sometimes the best solutions for these types of nagging issues come...

One weekend each month, all the rooms at Knoxville (Tenn.) Orthopaedic Center are treated with liquid and vaporized isopropyl alcohol, a protocol that serves as an...

Perioperative teams keep patient and staff safety top of mind at all times, even during days with high volumes of cases that could pose distractions to providing safe care...

The effort to pass mandatory surgical smoke evacuation legislation in statehouses across the U.S. continues in 2025 with the ultimate goal of removing toxic plume...

Eco-conscious facilities should always strive to practice sustainable health care.

Choosing the right work gear for your feet is far from a no-brainer when your job is in the perioperative arena....

Most experts believe high-level disinfection (HLD) activities should be standardized but not centralized. “Centralization of disinfecting activities — especially with scopes...

Why should a surgery center become more sustainable? The energy intensity, expensive supplies and significant waste generated in surgery offer plenty of opportunities to...

Sharps injuries in the OR are on the rise, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)....

Deb Spratt, MPA, BSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, CHL, an independent perioperative consultant based in Rochester, N.Y., has more than 50 years of healthcare leadership...