Is your team ready to SWITCH it up? A new study featured in the AORN Journal found that using a standardized hand off tool based on the SWITCH method (surgical procedure, wet supplies, instruments, tissue, counts, and questions) significantly improved key areas for nurses in the OR. It can enhance communication by covering important categories related to devices, personnel, and solutions. Nurses who used SWITCH reported feeling: ✅more satisfied with handoffs and ✅more confident in their abilities 👍 They also demonstrated better overall surgical nursing performance compared to those using traditional methods. This research suggests that implementing a standardized hand off tool like SWITCH can significantly enhance communication, teamwork, and patient safety in the OR. A standardized hand off tool isn’t just a game-changer; it’s a life-changer. Better communication means safer surgeries, satisfied nursing staff members, and improved patient outcomes. Have you used the SWITCH method to optimize hand offs? What are some other strategies that your facility uses? Read the abstract or full study: https://lnkd.in/gWCXrAac Not a member? Join AORN to receive the award-winning Journal in your mailbox and your inbox. #PatientSafety #ORNurse #AORNJournal #Nursing #Nurses #Nurse

High burnout rates are linked to high vacancy rates in the OR. Periop Talk sheds light on this issue, emphasizing factors like unpredictable schedules and heavy workloads. The episode also proposes creative solutions to retain these valuable nurses, including flexible scheduling, innovative staffing approaches, and mentorship programs. What has you burned out? Tell us in the comments 👇🏼 Watch or listen to the full episode for potential solutions: https://lnkd.in/gRKuhQ3E #Perioperative #ORNurse #Nursing #Nurse #Nurses #Periop #NurseBurnOut #NurseLife #NursesCare

🎥 Witnessing Error, Sparking Change: How One Error Changed a Nurse's Career “I started to think about how I can have greater impact in my profession and how I can start to influence safety and quality.” – Richard Dorritie, PhD, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM A harrowing medical error early in Richard’s career left an indelible mark on him as a nurse. Witnessing a wrong-site nerve block sparked a lifelong mission for patient safety. It wasn't just about blame; it was about understanding how to prevent such errors from happening in the first place. This quest for knowledge propelled Richard to pursue a PhD and delve into the world of patient safety research. His research explores the root causes of medical errors and how to design systems to catch them before they reach patients. Today, Richard is more than just a caregiver – he’s a patient safety advocate. Richard works tirelessly to foster a culture of open communication and error prevention within healthcare. This journey has been challenging, but incredibly rewarding. Richard’s story is a testament to perseverance and the impact one nurse can have on patient care. 🌟 🔔 Stay Tuned: Our Periop Portraits series continues throughout 2024, celebrating the amazing individuals in our perioperative community as we mark our 75th anniversary! 📢 Have a story to share? Submit it here: https://lnkd.in/gc9HB2YM #Nurselife #ORnurse #Nursing #Nurses #Nurse #Periop #PeriopPortraits

Enhancing Parathyroid Surgery Efficiency: A Quality Improvement Journey During parathyroidectomy procedures, intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) monitoring shows whether the removal of the abnormal gland tissue was a success. When there is a 50% decrease in baseline PTH levels, the team can usually infer that the problematic tissue has been removed. When there are delays in collecting and processing PTH blood samples, it complicates decision-making and can extend the procedure duration. To address this challenge, one team embarked on a quality improvement project. Their goal? Streamline the specimen management process for PTH blood samples and reduce the average transit and assay time. Before implementation, the average total time for transit and assay was 31.36 minutes. Through the implementation: The average was slashed down to 22.06 minutes! Here is how they did it: https://lnkd.in/g8S5AWkH Share your experiences with process enhancements in the comments below. 👇🏽 Let’s learn from each other. 🫲🏼 The study is in the July issue of the AORN Journal. Not subscribed? Become an AORN member to get the monthly publication delivered to your mailbox and email. #SurgicalInnovation #ProcessImprovement #ParathyroidSurgery #ORNurse #AORNJournal #Nursing #Nurses #Nurse

Wipe and Flush Instruments During a Procedure to Prevent Biofilms 👉The numbers don’t lie - surgical site infections (SSI’s) make up more than 40% of adult health care–associated infections. Multidrug resistance to the two most reported pathogens, 😷 Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, means that treating infections is becoming even more tricky. Biofilms result when microbes become attached to surfaces, forming a mass that is difficult to remove. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared that bacteria within biofilms are up to 1,000 times more resistant to antimicrobials than are the same bacteria in suspension. Reducing Biofilms ✔To prevent the development of SSIs, wipe and flush ✂ surgical instruments used during procedures to reduce the build-up of biofilms on them. Point-of-Use Treatment ✔The surgical technologist should use sterile water 💦 to wipe and flush the instruments and keep them moist during the procedure. Nix the normal saline! The sodium chloride can cause pitting and rusting on the instruments, creating microscopic spaces where biofilm can form. Following the Manufacturer's IFU ✔ Not sure? Check the equipment’s instructions for use (IFU). An IFU for reusable medical devices may instruct you avoid solutions with a high chlorine content or specify that cannulated devices should be flushed with sterile or purified water. 📌 Save this post for future reference! Revisit these steps and share your biofilm prevention tips in the comments. https://bit.ly/3L96x8z #AORNStitch #surgerylife #perioperative #ORlife #nurse #nurselife #nurses #nursing #ORnurse

✳️ Tips to help with chronic injuries due to SPHM✳️ Safe patient handling and movement isn’t just for the patients. The guidelines help ensure your safety too. Avoid chronic musculoskeletal injuries when positioning patients so you can stay safe. 🚑💪 Strategies for the riskiest patient positions 🛌🔄Prone Position - Transfer the patient to the edge of a stretcher safely - Ensure proper height ratio between the stretcher and OR bed - Turn the patient correctly onto their side and then prone - Reposition hips to maintain spinal alignment - Use support mechanisms in the surgical table ↔️🛏️Lateral Position - Place the patient into supine carefully - Move the patient to the edge of the OR bed for turning - Lift the patient’s torso correctly to place axillary positioning devices - Use lateral transfer devices or patient slings 🦵↕️ Lithotomy Position - Reposition the patient to a lower bed position safely - Align legs properly in leg holders - Ensure enough team members are available for safe repositioning - Use assistive devices to prevent injuries during repositioning 🛏️⬆️⬇️Supine Position - Position legs and move arms safely - Assist patients into the correct position with care - If the patient can move themselves, supervise for safety - Use air lateral transfer devices for limited mobility patients "We put our patients first, which is why nurses remain the most trusted profession,” said Shosha Beal, MSN, CNOR, CSPHA, who has 20 years of periop practice. “But we need to remember that preventing injury applies to us as well. The pain we experience from on-the-job patient handling is 100 percent preventable.” 🚑💪 To further support your safety, AORN recently updated its Guideline for Safe Patient Handling and Movement for 2024. These updates include recommendations for using patient lift equipment, individualized safe patient handling plans, and comprehensive fall risk and mobility assessments. Implementing these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and ensure safer working conditions. 🌟 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bjc4nB Let's prioritize our safety while providing top-notch care for our patients. Together, we can prevent these injuries and enjoy a long, fulfilling career in the OR. 🌟 #Perioperative #Periop #ORNurse #Nursing #Nurses #NurseLife #Nurse #Patientsafety

🚨Airway Emergency in Surgery🚨 An airway emergency can be a scary situation, but don't worry, we'll break it down into easy steps. First things first: Stay calm! You can't help the patient if you're panicking. Take a deep breath and focus on what needs to be done. Next, it's all about teamwork: • Get help: Call a code overhead to bring your team leader and other nurses into the OR. They can grab supplies, answer questions, or assist with compressions. • Grab the crash cart: This has essential life-saving equipment. Delegate this task if you can. • Grab the airway emergency cart: If your unit has one, grab it too (or delegate!). It should have a tracheostomy set and other supplies you might need. • While calling a code and grabbing the carts, the anesthesia team will likely start chest compressions and prepare medications while you get things ready. • Prepare for the possibility of an emergency tracheostomy. • Partake in the code by applying defibrillator pads, taking over a round of compressions, or timing and recording the compressions. Be prepared for a possible tracheostomy: This is a surgical procedure to create an opening in the windpipe to deliver oxygen. You won't be alone, but it's important to know where the supplies are. Save this post! It's a handy reference for those quick moments you need to remember the steps. Download the pocket card! https://bit.ly/3XBwNjs #AORNStitch #ornurse #nursing #nurselife #nurse #nurses #perioperative #periop #periopnurse

Perioperative Magnetic Resonance Safety: A Refresher for Nurses Perioperative nurses play a vital role in ensuring patient and staff safety when working in an OR equipped with a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. The powerful magnets used in MR pose unique safety risks, so adhering to established protocols is crucial. Here's a quick review of key points: ✔ MR Zones: The MR environment is divided into zones with varying levels of magnetic field strength. Zone IV, closest to the scanner, requires the strictest safety measures. ✔ Missile Effect: Ferromagnetic objects near the magnet can be pulled with tremendous force, posing a serious injury risk. ✔ MR-Compatible Equipment: Only equipment specifically designed for MR use should be brought into zones III and IV. ✔ Perioperative MR Safety Plan: A comprehensive plan should outline patient screening, safe equipment management, and clear communication protocols. ✔ Safety Checklists: Utilizing checklists before, during, and after surgery ensures all safety measures are addressed. ☝️Remember: • Review the MR safety plan and associated procedures. • Participate in MR safety training. • Work with your team to ensure a safe environment for everyone. By collaborating and following established safety protocols, perioperative nurses can contribute significantly to a successful outcome in the perioperative MR setting. Don't miss out! Read the full journal on our website and share your thoughts in the comments below. https://bit.ly/4eGLFD4 Not a member? Join today to start receiving AORN Journal content. https://lnkd.in/gTRVP8Yg #surgerylife #ORlife #nurse #nurses #aornjournal #nurselife #surgery #perioperative #nursing #MRIsafety #patientcare

Helping Kids Conquer Surgery Jitters Little ones have unique needs when it comes to the OR, and feeling anxious before surgery is normal. Here are some ways you can help them (and their families) feel calmer: Be a Champion for Communication • Talk like they talk: Ditch the medical jargon and explain things in a way that's age-appropriate. Younger kids may respond well to pictures or simple explanations, while teenagers might appreciate more details. • Partner with parents: Their anxiety can easily transfer to their child. Address their concerns, answer their questions, and reassure them that you'll all work together as a team. Distraction is Your Secret Weapon • Fun and games: Preoperative playtime with games, videos, or even silly stories can take their mind off worries and create a more positive atmosphere. • Keeping it calm: A quiet OR with less stimulation can make a big difference for a nervous child. Think dimmed lights and lowered voices. The Power of Familiarity • Parental presence is a plus: Studies show that having a parent or familiar caregiver by their side during induction and emergence from anesthesia can significantly reduce a child's anxiety. Medications Might Be Needed • The anesthesia professional might prescribe medication – these can help calm the child before surgery. Make sure there's enough time for them to take effect before heading to the OR. Bookmark this post so you can easily refer to these tips. Share your insights for working with pediatric patients in the comments. Get the full story: https://bit.ly/3VJTxet Not a member? Join today to start receiving AORN Journal content: https://lnkd.in/gTRVP8Yg #surgerylife #ORlife #nurse #nurses #aornjournal #nurselife #surgery #pediatricnursing #nursing