Developing Your Skills

Many of our habits and techniques in patient care stem from one intent: to prevent harm to our patients. There is one tool that you likely do not utilize to its fullest potential to optimize your patients’ safety. The way in which we use our words significantly impacts our patients’ risks for sentinel events.

Family members of patients in perioperative settings should be included during key moments of communication, such as teaching moments (e.g., preoperative discussions) and data collection (e.g., discussing medications and allergies).

This article will help you identify the types of people to surround yourself with as part of building a personal advisory board.

In the perioperative setting, procedures like dilation and curettage are not just medical routines but deeply personal journeys for the patients involved.

Communication is one key component of providing safe care for patients and building trust among team members.

Get at a glance at the steps to perform a vaginal prep.

Here are three tips to be more effective when communicating a message in the perioperative setting.

Learn about important components of cataract extraction, such as patient assessment, positioning, surgical prep, needed supplies, and more.

AORN advocates for a systems approach to prevent RSIs, including standardized counting and reconciliation procedures, methodical wound exploration, radiologic confirmation, adjunct technology, and teamwork training.

For novice perioperative nurses, adjusting to the demands and expectations of the OR can be a daunting task. This article explores five ways that a novice perioperative nurse can excel in surgery and establish themselves as a respected and trusted member of the OR team.

Perioperative personnel rely on team members from other departments and services, such as radiology, laboratory, environmental services, nutrition services, medical records, and respiratory services, to provide specific patient-centered care needs.

Your scrub person is the direct link between you and the patient. If they have what they need, the surgeon has what they need. If they are not stressed, they present a calm front to the surgeon.

Not only are travelers filling in gaps for overworked staff, but they are also helping ensure that patients still receive the care they need.

Navigating the operating room environment as a new nurse can be daunting; incorporating these communication tips can help you overcome the initial challenges.

Do you know the elements of the informed consent process and your role in the process?

Everyone has had the experience of being the new person in a group. It is an exciting time but may also be frustrating when no one listens to you when you speak up.

Did you know that 33% of total hospital waste comes from the OR?

One of the common questions I am asked by novice nurses is, “When will I know everything I need to be a safe and competent perioperative nurse?” Here is how I respond to those nurses.

The ESU consists of an electrosurgical generator with connections for a foot pedal, handpiece, and dispersive electrode (ie, grounding pad, Bovie pad).

Be prepared, communicate, and keep your cool! Read all these insights for surviving in the OR as the new person on the team.