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.
