AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Resource Center

CoE: RSI Prevention Award

Welcome

You're on your way to implementing a facility-wide initiative to become a Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention! This recognition program is for facilities that want to protect patient and worker safety by preventing unintentionally retained surgical items, using immersive technology to improve skills and give your team the peace of mind they deserve.

Program Manual

The AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention Program Manual will provide you step-by-step instructions on how to start your facility initiative to prevent unintentionally retained surgical items from your operating and procedure rooms and earn the CoE: RSI Prevention award. 


AORN RSI Prevention Award Criteria

  1. Education Completion: a minimum of 90% of staff enrolled must complete the online education component
  2. Post-test Score: a minimum of 90% of staff enrolled must score 80% or higher on the post-test
  3. RSI Prevention Compliance Audit Form: a minimum of 90% compliance must be achieved by week 12 in the audit form
  4. Adjunct Technology: 1 RSI adjunct technology device for every OR / procedure room

Recertification - RSI Prevention Award  

The CoE: RSI Prevention Award is a three-year designation. Three years after the award is received, renew your facility’s award by completing and submitting the recertification attestation. 


Evidence Table - AORN’s Guidelines for the Prevention of Unintentionally Retained Surgical Items

Download the evidence table which provides detail on the evidence supporting AORN's Guidelines for the Prevention of Unintentionally Retained Surgical Items. 


Gap Analysis Tool

The Gap Analysis Tool quickly assesses current RSI Prevention practices in your ORs. Use the results of the gap analysis to determine your need for additional policies and/or equipment.


Product Evaluation of Adjunct Technology Form

Start the product evaluation process by using the Product Evaluation of Adjunct Technology Form. This is the process of selecting adjunct technology which gives health care organizations a systematic way to determine and document which devices will best meet their needs.


RSI Prevention Policy & Procedure Template

Use our template to provide guidance to perioperative personnel for preventing retained surgical items (RSIs) during operative or other invasive procedures. The expected outcome is that the patient is free from unintended retained foreign objects. You may utilize the template provided or develop your own based on the needs of your facility.


Intraprofessional Education

The Intraprofessional Education package is the cornerstone of the program. You and your team will have access to the online pre-test, educational content, and post-test. Refer to your registration instructions for your username and password. To login, visit the Center of Excellence Education Platform.

Physicians and anesthesia providers who are supportive of the initiative and compliant with AORN’s Prevention of RSI Guidelines are not required to complete the online education component. Download the Physician & Anesthesia Provider Waiver and submit the signed waivers to [email protected] at the time your facility completes the compliance auditing form.

Compliance Audit Monitoring Tool

The Facility Coordinator or designated perioperative staff member will conduct a three-month audit of RSI Prevention compliance wherever a surgical count is indicated.

After the audit is complete, please follow the link within the Excel document to submit the final audit score. This will notify AORN that you are ready to be considered for the CoE: RSI Prevention award.

Please be sure to save the Excel document audit form for your facility records.


Competency Verification Tool

For your perioperative team, use the Competency Verification Tool for education and competency verification activities related to RSI Prevention. This step is optional.


Additional Educational Resources

The resources below are available to support your team in your journey to preventing unintentionally retained surgical items.


Marketing Tools

Download and print the following tools to promote the program and your team’s goals to prevent RSIs!


AORN Support & Feedback

For questions about the AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention program, please contact AORN at [email protected].

Complimentary Consultation

If you need additional assistance with securing leadership support, developing the business case and/or performing a gap analysis, contact Stryker to schedule a complimentary consultation. AORN does not endorse or support any manufacturer’s product.

This evidence-based program is made possible by Stryker through the AORN Foundation.

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