Slide Show: National Time Out Day 2013
National Time Out Day supports surgical nurses ability to speak up for safe practices in the operating room. Initiated as an annual awareness campaign by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) in 2004, it has been consistently supported by the Joint Commission, the World Health Organization, and the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety (CSPS) for its ability to increase awareness of safe practices that lead to optimal outcomes for patients undergoing surgery and other invasive procedures. This year, AORN urges members to evaluate how their time out fits into broader efforts to provide high-quality care to every patient, every time. A poorly executed time out or lack of team communication may indicate areas for improvement within a safety culture.
Back to Basics: Hospital Restores Catheter-Associated UTI Rates to Prepandemic Baseline
June 16th 2025A 758-bed quaternary medical center slashed catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) by 45% over 2 years, proving that disciplined adherence to fundamental prevention steps, not expensive add-ons, can reverse the pandemic-era spike in device-related harm.
Beyond the Surface: Tackling the Sterilization Challenges of Flexible Endoscopes
May 26th 2025Flexible endoscopes revolutionized modern medicine—but their complex design poses persistent sterilization challenges. With mounting infection risks and emerging innovations, experts are rethinking how to clean and safeguard one of health care’s most indispensable tools.
Silent Saboteurs: Managing Endotoxins for Sepsis-Free Sterilization
Invisible yet deadly, endotoxins evade traditional sterilization methods, posing significant risks during routine surgeries. Understanding and addressing their threat is critical for patient safety.
