The goal of this course is to familiarize nurses and other health care personnel with the Perioperative Nursing Data Set (PNDS), a standardized nursing language that will support evidence-based perioperative nursing practice.

Understand wound closure principles and how their application in the surgical setting can contribute to optimal outcomes.

Understand the care and handling of specimens.

Understand proper patient positioning in order to provide optimal care in the surgical setting.

Learn how to protect both health care workers and patients from transmission of potentially infectious agents.

Learn to use the nursing process in documenting safe and effective patient care in the perioperative setting.

Understand essential information on initial, intraoperative, and final counts of all items used in the surgical setting.

The learner will have the knowledge to confidently implement the recommended practices from the AORN Guideline for Sterile Technique to maintain sterility and prevent contamination of the sterile field and sterile items during operative and other invasive procedures.

Understand safe and accurate administration and documentation of intraoperative medications and solutions.

Prepare preceptors for their critical role in orienting new registered nurses to the perioperative environment.

Understand testing, application, use, and cleaning of pneumatic tourniquets.

Identify how to develop and implement a protocol for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Increase your knowledge of anesthesia methods to assist the anesthesia professional in delivering safe patient care.

Learn how to apply principles of safety when using a variety of equipment in the surgical suite.

Identify specific actions to take in order to reduce the risk of a patient developing unplanned perioperative hypothermia.

Learn the essential principles of draping a surgical field and the types of surgical drapes.

Understand how skin preparation of the surgical site helps reduce the potential for surgical site infections.

Learn how to prepare for, recognize, and treat various obstetric emergencies that may arise during pregnancy.

Introduces the perioperative registered nurse (RN) to the elements of a culture of safety and the effect of human factors on delivery of care.

Identify correct surgical attire and how it’s worn to protect both patients and healthcare workers.