Training Smarter, Not Harder: The Key to OR Efficiency

"We were blessed to implement Periop 101 when I was in the operating room. It provides a standardized approach that integrates evidence-based practice and research, allowing educators to focus on developing the staff—not developing the content. That’s what Periop 101, eGuidelines Plus, and AORN CineMed Videos do—they let educators and leaders focus on the nurse, the individual, and develop them in their career."

So, says AORN Director of Nursing Education, Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN, who emphasizes that OR efficiency isn’t just about speed—it’s about safety, quality, consistency, competency, and teamwork.

When surgical staff are well-trained and have on-demand access to the right tools, they can work smarter, not harder—ensuring both patient safety and workflow optimization.

Yet, for many perioperative leaders, maintaining an efficient OR comes with significant challenges. Staffing shortages, high turnover rates, and evolving surgical techniques all add pressure to ensure that perioperative teams are both competent and efficient. Some of the most common obstacles include:

Training perioperative nurses is complex, and inconsistencies in onboarding can lead to workflow inefficiencies. Without standardized education, new team members' orientation depends on who trains them, creating variability that decreases efficiencies, says Becker.

A structured, evidence-based education program, like Periop 101, builds a high-functioning team by ensuring every new nurse enters the OR fully prepared.

"Periop 101 serves as the educational foundation for our perioperative colleagues," Becker said. 

"It educates them in evidence-based practice and AORN Guidelines, ensuring they develop a strong, safe, and high-quality practice. This foundational knowledge helps them support OR efficiency and safety—managing room turnovers, properly cleaning and setting up instruments, organizing mayo stands and back tables, draping effectively, and ultimately delivering excellent patient care while supporting the surgical team.”

Periop 101 goes beyond traditional training by combining interactive online learning, hands-on skills labs, and guided clinical practicums. This structured approach standardizes onboarding, reduces variability in training, and helps teams operate more efficiently.

But AORN’s commitment to ongoing education doesn’t stop with Periop 101.

"Following Periop 101, AORN offers clinical resources and many other courses that will continue to build a nurse’s knowledge," Becker said.

These additional learning opportunities—including training on scrubbing techniques, room setup, and sterile field management—help perioperative nurses refine their skills and apply best practices in the OR. With access to ongoing education, nurses can reinforce their knowledge, adapt to evolving surgical techniques, and enhance team efficiency.

How AORN CineMed Videos Support Ongoing Nurse Training

But onboarding is just the first step because continuous learning is essential for maintaining best practices in the OR. Without the ability to reinforce skills in real time, even experienced nurses may hesitate during unfamiliar procedures, slowing workflow and increasing reliance on preceptors.

"The AORN CineMed Perioperative Clips will give staff real-time, in-the-palm-of-their-hand access to how to perform a particular procedure in just about one minute," Becker said.

"It complements Periop 101 by reinforcing critical skills and keeping staff current with best practices," Becker said. "The 1-minute CineMed Clips provide quick, how-to refreshers for experienced nurses, while the Video Library offers longer, in-depth education to support both new learners and those seeking a deeper understanding of perioperative procedures."

With on-demand access to visual learning tools, both novice and experienced nurses can reinforce their skills efficiently—whether it's refreshing before a procedure, learning a new technique without disrupting workflow, or ensuring best practices across different surgical specialties.

Using eGuidelines Plus for On-Demand OR Best Practices

OR efficiency isn’t just about training. It’s also about empowering teams with quick access to evidence-based guidance. Whether it’s an uncertain moment in a procedure or a need for immediate clarification on a best practice, having the right resources available can mean the difference between a smooth operation and an unnecessary delay.

"When we offer in-services and additional education, I pull up eGuidelines Plus to support staff development sessions," Becker said. "We show them how to use these tools so they can quickly reference key takeaways, guideline updates, and procedural best practices."

With features like the At a Glance Library, which provides step-by-step visual guides for procedures, positioning, instruments and sterile technique, and customizable templates and checklists that ensure consistency across teams, eGuidelines Plus helps perioperative staff maintain efficiency while staying compliant with the latest guidelines.

"These three products complement each other well, and many of the additional questions staff may have—along with the answers and rationales—can be found within these three solutions,” Becker added. 

Want to learn more? Visit our three clinical solutions page.