Operating Room

Patient safety is as important as staff safety. Yet, how do health care instructors get others to remember their lessons? One presentation, given by Michael Sinnott, MBBS, FACEM, FRACP, at the AORN International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024, had a unique suggestion.

At the AORN’s International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024, a team from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) showcased their transformative project, "Becoming Smoke-Free in the OR." This initiative underscored the critical need for smoke evacuation in surgical settings.

As explained on a poster at AORN 2024, perioperative nurses and infection preventionists unite in a proactive campaign to elevate hand hygiene within the operating room, resulting in improved adherence, decreased infections, and fortified patient outcomes.

Do operating room personnel understand the complexities of the sterile processing department? They rely on the sterile processing department for surgical instruments, but are they aware of its complexities and requirements?

Amidst the complex dance of scalpels and sterile fields in surgical theaters, a silent guardian stands vigilant—the surgical infection preventionist. Poster author, Charles Vickery, Jr, BSN, RN, CIC, CRST, of AdventHealth Central Florida, unveils the indispensable role of this health care sentinel at AORN's International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024.

At the AORN’s International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024, a presentation on surgical smoke drew applause and strong emotion about the continuing fight for legislation on removing surgical smoke from operating rooms. Infection Control Today was there to tell you what happened.

In the dynamic world of infection prevention and control (IPC), Erica Smith knows perioperative nursing and infection prevention. With a passion for supporting surgery centers and independent ASCs, her upcoming presentation dives deep into the common mistakes and challenges faced in IPC practices.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending March 10, 2024.

Infection Control Today's® Product Locator is a column that highlights the latest advanced technology in infection prevention.

Discover the critical role infection preventionists play in combating multidrug-resistant organisms, from the impact on patient care to the challenges of treatment, and the evolving landscape of antimicrobial resistance with Katharine J Hoffman, MPH, CIC.

Explore the enigmatic world of prions with insights from Ryan A. Maddox, PhD, from the CDC, as ICT® delves into handling, risks, and precautions for these rare, formidable proteins.

Infection Control Today's® Product Locator is a monthly column highlighting some of the latest advanced technology in the infection prevention field.

Water, essential in health care, from hygiene to medical procedures. AAMI's ST108 sets new standards, vital for patient safety and equipment integrity.

Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, discusses 3 uncommon yet highly infectious eye diseases, emphasizing the importance of timely treatment and preventative measures.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending February 11, 2024.

Discover insights from Cindy Gaines on health care challenges, including rising costs, workforce shortages, and perioperative care transformation in 2024.

A new study examines how monitoring and reducing operating room traffic can significantly lower the risk of surgical site infections, enhancing patient safety and infection prevention protocols.

AI is helping health care professionals during the pandemic by improving accuracy and patient safety in radiology and disease prediction. Despite concerns about job replacement and misuse, AI promises to enhance health care accessibility, affordability, and accuracy.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending November 25, 2023.

Marking the World Health Organization's World AMR Awareness Week, “Going Blue: Confronting the AMR Challenge,” urges health care providers and the public to educate, follow protocols, and ensure patient safety for antibiotic efficacy.

This interview with Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL, CIS, CER, CFER, CRCST, delves into a robust year-long study, starting in 2021, investigating the often-overlooked risks associated with insulated medical devices impacting both patients and medical staff.

Prepare for a healthcare "tripledemic" with Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. Operating rooms face risks, but autonomous UV disinfection systems offer an effective solution to maintain sterility.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending November 19, 2023.

Read a literature review that examines methods for laundering reusable surgical scrubs. Discover the importance of water temperature, disinfectants, and more in infection control.

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending October 29, 2023.

A recent American Journal of Infection Control study, led by Katharine Hoffman, MPH, CIC, LSSGB, and Lisa Waldowski, DNP, RN, CIC, applies Lean Six Sigma to improve eye device reprocessing. The research highlights the challenges, emphasizes adherence to manufacturer instructions, and promotes best practices for patient safety.

This edition of Infection Intel from Infection Control Today covers infection control and prevention company news out of IDWeek, being held in Boston, Massachusetts, from October 11 to 15, 2023.

Infection Control Today's® Product Locator is a monthly column highlighting some of the latest advanced technology in the infection prevention field.

Infection preventionists (IP) can come from many different backgrounds. This is 1 opinion from 1 very successful IP who doesn't have an RN or a BSN and the bullying that sometimes occurs.

In this Hot Topics in IPC, Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, FAPIC, discusses COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, Legionella infections from transplants, and hospital leadership.