Perioperative nurses bring vital skills in patient safety, infection control, and quality improvement. They enhance surgical outcomes and support health care systems during complex, high-risk procedures.
Celebrating Periop Nurses Week
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) President Nakeisha Tolliver, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, CSSM, and AORN CEO/Executive Director, Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN, wrote this article in conjunction with Periop Nurses Week (November 10 to 16, 2024).
During Perioperative Nurses Week from November 10 to 16, 2024, we encourage you to recognize the invaluable contributions of your perioperative nurses and nurse leaders. Their specialized clinical skills and knowledge protect your patients from adverse outcomes—and safeguard one of the most important revenue drivers for your health system.
AORN CEO/Executive Director, Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN
(Photo credit: AORN)
As you know too well, managing highly complex surgical services is far more than space, labor, and supplies. At the most crucial time in a patient’s life, your periop nurses bring the clinical edge in understanding all the intersecting variables necessary for safe care while mitigating costly risks.
Both the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission standards require that a nurse (or MD/DO) with specialized perioperative clinical experience supervise the operating room for several reasons:
AORN President Nakeisha Tolliver, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, CNOR, CSSM
(Photo credit: AORN)
All these qualifications and contributions underscore why AORN believes perioperative nurses are uniquely suited for the surgical services director role. For surgical services leaders without the recommended direct perioperative experience, AORN is here to support your efforts in fostering a balanced approach to decision-making, enhancing both care and efficiencies.
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