4 Infection Prevention “Tune-Ups” for All Periop Settings

Infection Prevention

By: AORN Staff

Published: 3/5/2023

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An infection prevention “tune-up” is a smart practice for any periop team to catch lurking infection risks that could harm patients and staff, according to Erica Smith, MBA, surgical solutions market development manager for Henry Schein.

Smith’s role provides a clear vantage point to identify slips in infection prevention practices in ASCs and she’s seeing some common trends that could leave any periop team vulnerable.

For example, she’s observing high turnover in some facilities that could leave new staff members unfamiliar with established infection prevention practices. This combined with the risk of bad habits and short-cuts among experienced staff could create “a perfect storm for infection outbreaks.”

While Smith’s concerns are not new, they are enough to keep any periop nurse up at night. Ahead of her upcoming education session at AORN’s annual conference on ways to enhance infection prevention in the ASC, Smith gave us a few infection prevention “tune-ups” that any nurse can champion now.

  • Tune-up #1:  Share the Latest Infection Prevention Evidence
    With the rapid cycle of evidence review, new and safer infection prevention practices are coming out throughout the year. Teams need a plan to watch for these updates and adapt them to practice immediately so EVERY team member is on the same page with current policy/procedure and the rationale behind recommended practices.

    Example: Just this month AORN is releasing a revised Guideline on Medication Safety with practices that impact infection prevention, which is beneficial to review for practice changes.
  • Tune-up #2:  Call Out Unsafe Infection Prevention Practices
    If you see a colleague using improper infection control practices, recognize the error. Maybe a colleague was taught incorrectly in their early career. Calling out unsafe practices will not only protect your patients, but it also protects you from potential infection transmission.

    Example: Sharps safety directly impacts occupational safety by protecting staff from increased risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Take time to review proper handling and disposal of sharps to help limit any exposure to you, your colleagues, or your patients.,
  • Tune-up# 3: Recognize Your Own Bad Habits
    Anyone can fall into shortcuts or habits that could risk missing an important infection prevention step. Smith suggests taking a moment to review your facility’s policy/procedure for basic infection prevention practices to jog your memory on anything you may be missing. Taking time to share your find with your team can be a nice reminder for them, too.

    Example: Hand Hygiene is an important way to help reduce the risk of infection and there are specific practices to adhere to, such as how to use hand hygiene products for maximum efficacy.
  • Tune-up #4: Review Manufacturer Instructions for Use
    Products and other instruments and technologies used in perioperative care can change frequently and instructions for use can vary widely, even between different brands of similar products. Double check you are familiar with IFUs for products you use and make sure these IFUs are easy to access for any team member.

    Example: Following IFUs specifying contact times for a disinfectant is a major requirement for infection prevention and one that can be missed, Smith shares. It’s important to follow all steps an IFU states to do because when specific instructions are not followed, this allows a chance for infection outbreaks to occur.

Learn more from Smith at her education session “Infection Prevention in the ASC Environment of Care” in the Ambulatory Hub at AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo to refine your own infection prevention “tune-up” by implementing policies, procedures, and training to make sure all staff members are keeping everyone safe each day.

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