This educational program identifies the clinical considerations related to surgical instrument care, cleaning, test functioning, routine maintenance, and basic repairs. This information will help you keep instruments in excellent condition so patients can receive the best care possible.

This ebook is intended to supplement education and training of vascular vessel mapping protocols for creation of an endovascular arteriovenous fistula (endoAVF) utilizing the approach with dual magnetic catheters and application of radiofrequency energy to create an endoAVF (dual catheter system) anastomosis.

This ebook discusses foreign debris-initiated post-surgical complications and their associated pathological mechanisms. It reviews the sources of debris contamination, including a description of foreign microbody characteristics that can further amplify pathological responses. Strategies to determine the presence of lint in the OR and recommendations for minimizing their presence are highlighted.

This continuing education activity will address the role of environmental contamination in the transmission of HAIs, describe the latest research on environmental hygiene in the operating room (OR), and list the monitoring methods available to objectively evaluate environmental hygiene. Process improvement methods and new technologies such as self-disinfecting surfaces and “no touch” area cleaners utilizing ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and hydrogen peroxide vapor will be described.

The advantages of using an online system for direct access to valuable information about a procedure pack program will be discussed. The five key functions of an online pack management system will be outlined. Best practices for standardization of procedural supplies across an integrated delivery network or individual hospital will be described.

In the current era of antibiotic stewardship, with the prevalence of bacterial resistance to multiple antibiotic agents, there has been an interest in using perioperative antiseptics to reduce microbial contamination in the surgical site before closure and possibly reduce the need for antibiotic agents. This program is intended to better understand the proper implications of the different types of wound irrigations in relation to SSIs, cost, and efficiency.

This program summarizes the risks associated with handling needles and sharps in the healthcare environment and describes how implementation of a comprehensive sharps safety program can mitigate these risks.

This educational program will explore how damage to the skin barrier can lead to alterations in the skin microbiome, contributing to conditions such as incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).

This ebook is intended to supplement education and training of vascular vessel mapping protocols for creation of an endovascular arteriovenous fistula (endoAVF) utilizing the approach with dual magnetic catheters and application of radiofrequency energy to create an endoAVF (dual catheter system) anastomosis.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total joint arthroplasty is a significant complication, and diagnosis and treatment are challenging, which makes prevention the most compelling strategy. This program defines PJI and explains its incidence, pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical consequences, and financial costs. The implications of biofilm formation for the diagnosis and treatment of PJI are discussed. Preoperative, perioperative, intraoperative, and postoperative preventive strategies are described in detail, focusing on the benefits of irrigation with high-osmolarity surfactant solutions.

Key characteristics of successful Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) nurses are those nurses that are knowledgeable, confident, efficient, organized and dedicated experts in PD therapy. This education activity offers a comprehensive approach for nurses who want to embark on a PD learning journey. Find out what PD is and how it works, including strategies to develop a structured PD patient training program, based on the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) syllabus.

This continuing education activity will review surgical treatment options for axial pain caused by DDD and new clinical evidence that assists spine surgeons in selecting the most effective treatment plan for appropriately indicated patients. It will provide an overview of the prevalence of axial back pain and DDD, followed by brief discussions of the relevant lumbar spine and intervertebral disc anatomy and the clinical implications of DDD.

The constant risks posed by a broad range of microorganisms in fast-paced healthcare environments can be overwhelming. This primer will cover (1) the most prevalent MDRO; (2) UV-C air and surface disinfection technologies and how to evaluate their broad-spectrum efficacy; and (3) hands-on best practices for safe, effective implementation.

This course discusses information relevant to enteral nutrition, access, device selection and placement. It highlights key points that will help nurses educate themselves, their peers, and their patients about how to select the right tube at the right time and ensure successful delivery of enteral nutrition.

A collaborative effort and trust between OR and SPD staff is paramount to effective instrument care and infection control. Strategies for effective communication between departments and opportunities for improved relationships between OR and SPD staff will be discussed to help promote safe and efficient patient care.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is the go-to treatment for gallstones and other gallbladder diseases. This learning activity will discuss the incidence and prevalence of symptomatic gallstones, the key surgical techniques established to ensure safe gallbladder removal, and the critical safety aspects and activities for laparoscopic instrument reprocessing and surgical supplies—such as cystic duct clips—that help every LC patient avoid complications and experience an optimal postoperative outcome.

Learn how to use the Sabina Sit-to-Stand Patient left. The Sabina Sit-to-Stand Patient Lift helps you transfer patients to and from the bed, chair, and toilet by lifting them from sitting to a standing position.

Because there are various types of detergents available today, all personnel involved in the care and cleaning of surgical instruments must be knowledgeable about these agents and the proper instrument cleaning process. This continuing education activity will provide a review of the key considerations related to the selection and use of detergents and disinfectants for instrument cleaning.

This educational activity provides an overview of gender and racial/ethnic musculoskeletal disparities, the relationship between obesity, osteoarthritis, and other comorbidities, and the potential impact of the AMA recognition of obesity as a disease. Also discussed are cultural and health literacy considerations of the patients most at risk for disability from osteoarthritis – obese African American and Hispanic women.

Enhanced recovery protocols provide evidence-based guidance on best practices providers can use before, during, and after surgery to accelerate a patient’s recovery. This course will discuss strategies for enhancing patient recovery following surgical procedures to deliver quality care, improve outcomes, and reduce overall costs.