In this episode of AORN Periop Talk, we sat down with the team at NYC Health + Hospitals Queens to talk about their journey to becoming the first hospital to earn the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Center of Excellence designation.

The team shares how collaboration across nursing, surgery, anesthesia, leadership, and support services helped make ERAS part of everyday practice. They also discuss the impact on patient recovery, including shorter hospital stays, fewer surgical site infections, stronger patient education, and greater staff engagement.

Hear what they learned along the way and the advice they have for other perioperative teams beginning their own ERAS journey.

Interested in the AORN Center of Excellence ERAS Program?
Learn more: https://www.aorn.org/education/education-for-facilities/surgical-safety-center-of-excellence/center-of-excellence-in-surgical-safety-enhanced-recovery-after-surgery

This evidence-based program is made possible by our sponsors CONMED, Pacira and Solventum through the AORN Foundation.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

In this episode of the Periop Talk Podcast, host Hannah Campbell and guest Dr. Lisa Spruce explore Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) — a patient-centered, evidence-based approach proven to shorten recovery times and reduce complications. 

They discuss the purpose, importance, and implementation of ERAS protocols, and how facilities can earn recognition through AORN’s Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. 

Dr. Spruce shares her inspiration for developing the ERAS Guideline and offers practical insights on overcoming common challenges in implementation. 

Whether you’re new to ERAS or preparing your facility for recognition, this episode provides essential guidance for improving patient outcomes and surgical safety.

Have questions or looking for more information? We'd love to chat with you! Follow the link to reach out: 
https://aornit.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/54/group/199/create/674

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Join Hannah Campbell, program manager for AORN's Surgical Safety Award Programs, in this episode of Periop Talk. Hannah interviews Marci Kling, a perioperative nurse educator at Emerson Health, who spearheaded the hospital's successful initiative to earn the Go Clear Award for smoke evacuation. 

Discover how Emerson Health transitioned to a smoke-free environment through grassroots efforts, leadership support, and staff education, leading to significant improvements in patient and staff safety. 

Learn More about how you can leverage AORN's Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation in your facility: https://www.aorn.org/education/education-for-facilities/surgical-safety-center-of-excellence/go-clear-awards

This evidence-based program is made possible by Medtronic through the AORN Foundation.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

In this inspiring episode, we speak with Jill O'Connor, Nurse Manager for L&D and Mother-Baby at AHN Saint Vincent Hospital, and Tracey Young, Perioperative Clinical Nurse Specialist at UPMC, about how they leveraged AORN’s Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention award program to transform surgical safety in their organizations. 

Through the program’s structured framework, they implemented targeted education, new technologies, strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration, and embedded best practices into daily workflows. Their journey showcases how their passion for safety combined with COE designation can be a catalyst for culture change, empowering teams to reduce risks of RSIs and elevate patient care. 

Learn More about how you can leverage AORN's Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: RSI Prevention in your facility:  https://www.aorn.org/education/education-for-facilities/surgical-safety-center-of-excellence/retained-surgical-items-rsi

This evidence-based program is made possible by Stryker through the AORN Foundation.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Maintaining the sterility of surgical instruments is paramount to preventing infections and ensuring patient safety. AORN's updated guideline on packaging for sterilization provides crucial guidance for perioperative teams, addressing key concerns and promoting best practices for selecting, using, and maintaining packaging systems.

Addressing Critical Issues in Packaging for Sterilization

AORN periodically reviews and updates its guidelines to reflect current evidence and best practices. This update focuses on several critical areas:

• Packaging Defects: The guideline emphasizes the importance of minimizing packaging defects that can compromise sterility.
   
• Personnel Discomfort:Recognizing the ergonomic challenges faced by sterile processing professionals, the guideline addresses strategies to create a more comfortable and safe work environment.
  
  
• Quality of Pouches and Wraps: The guideline stresses the importance of inspecting single-use wraps and filters for defects before use.
  
  
• Streamlining Instrument Sets: The guideline encourages optimizing instrument sets to eliminate unnecessary instruments, streamlining processes, and potentially saving time and resources.

Packaging for Sterilization Guideline Changes and Enhancements:

• Ergonomic Considerations: The guideline emphasizes creating an ergonomic work environment for sterile processing professionals, including comfortable work surface heights, adjustable seating, adequate space for assembling trays, proper lighting, noise reduction, and anti-fatigue mats.
  
  
• Inspection of Wraps and Filters: The guideline reinforces the importance of inspecting all single-use wraps and filters for defects before assembling instrument sets.
  
  
• Streamlining Instrument Sets: New recommendations encourage facilities to streamline instrument sets by identifying and removing infrequently used instruments. This can improve efficiency and reduce costs.
  
  
• Pouch Use and Technique: The guideline provides detailed recommendations for using peel pouches (paper/plastic), including proper sizing, sealing techniques, and inspection of seals for gaps, folds, bubbles, or wrinkles.
  
  
• Heat Sealer Maintenance: The guideline emphasizes the importance of using heat sealers according to the manufacturer's instructions, ensuring correct temperature settings for different materials, and maintaining equipment for optimal performance.
  
  

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Sterilization is the cornerstone of infection prevention in the perioperative setting. AORN's newly updated guideline on sterilization provides crucial guidance for perioperative teams, addressing emerging challenges and reinforcing best practices.

What's New in the Sterilization Guideline for Perioperative Teams?

AORN's sterilization guideline undergoes regular review to incorporate the latest evidence and address evolving practices. This update tackles several critical areas:

• 3D-Printed Devices:The increasing use of 3D-printed devices in healthcare presents unique sterilization challenges. The guideline provides guidance on appropriate sterilization methods for these complex devices.
  
  
• Short Cycle Sterilization:The practice of short cycle sterilization, while sometimes necessary, requires careful attention to detail. The updated guideline provides a clear definition of short cycle sterilization, aligning with CMS standards, and offers recommendations for its safe implementation.
  
  
• Transporting Sterilized Items:Transporting sterilized items between facilities poses logistical and environmental control challenges. The guideline offers enhanced direction for ensuring the sterility of items during transport, including considerations for vehicle conditions, environmental control, and minimizing movement to prevent damage.
  
  
• Water Quality:The ANSI/AAMI ST108 guideline emphasizes the importance of water quality for steam sterilization. AORN's updated guideline aligns with this standard, providing recommendations for monitoring water quality to ensure optimal sterilization efficacy.

The AORN Sterilization Guideline is available now in eGuidelines Plus and in the 2025 print guideline book and ebook. Access these valuable resources and empower your team to enhance patient safety through effective sterilization practices.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Maintaining a hygienically clean environment is paramount—inside and outside of the operating room. Proper infection control protocols extend beyond the OR—to the hallways, changing rooms, and even our communities. That's why AORN’s updated guidelines for surgical attire are so crucial. These standards address the vital role attire plays in minimizing the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) for patients, while also protecting healthcare workers and preventing the spread of microorganisms throughout the entire healthcare facility. 

These revisions address everything from lanyards and cell phones to head coverings and shoe covers, reflecting the latest evidence-based research and best practices. This isn't just about what you wear; it's about creating a consistently safe environment for every surgical procedure.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Maintaining normothermia is crucial for patient safety during surgical procedures. The AORN updated guideline on patient temperature management, features an expanded scope and provides perioperative teams with the tools they need to implement consistent, high-quality care.

The most significant change to the guideline is its name and scope. Previously focused solely on hypothermia prevention, the updated guideline now addresses patient temperature management, encompassing both hypothermia and malignant hyperthermia. This expansion reflects a more holistic approach to temperature regulation throughout the perioperative journey.

Get more insights on how to build a patient temperature management plan: Maintaining Normothermia: AORN's Patient Temperature Management Guideline | AORN. 

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

What is the ERAS protocol?
ERAS is a comprehensive approach involving a multidisciplinary team that implements best practices throughout the perioperative journey, from pre-admission through post-discharge. AORN emphasizes that ERAS aims to standardize care, reduce variability, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. While AORN's focus is on perioperative nursing, the organization recognizes ERAS as a collaborative, interprofessional effort. The AORN guidelines provide a framework for implementing ERAS principles in various surgical settings.

How to access the AORN ERAS guideline?
AORN's new ERAS guideline is a valuable resource for all members of the perioperative team and represents a significant step towards a future where ERAS is the standard of care for every surgical patient. The AORN guidelines offer evidence-based practice to standardize care and improve patient outcomes. The new ERAS guideline can be found in eGuidelines+, as well as the 2025 print guideline book and ebook.

AORN also offers a free comprehensive education and recognition program, Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, through the AORN Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety initiative.

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Moving to an ASC

#1 Can you handle fast and efficient turnovers?
Quick room turnovers and efficient instrument reprocessing ensure smooth patient flow and high standards of care in an ASC. Key to this is effective teamwork, a strong understanding of OR and PACU standards of care, and ethical practices to uphold quality and safety protocols.

#2 Do you have expertise in a specialty care area?
Experience in orthopedics or cardiovascular, for example, is advantageous, as it makes nurses more versatile and valuable in an ASC setting. Critical care experience is also beneficial for PACU or overnight care in an ASC because it enhances the ability to handle emergent, unanticipated patient events.

#3 Are you comfortable collaborating with surgeons?
Surgeons often have a vested interest in the center and are supportive and collaborative with staff, Davidson notes. “My experience as an AAAHC Surveyor allowed me to see how a collaborative and engaging ASC work environment can foster a culture of continuous improvement and patient-centered care that is exciting to be a part of.”

Support the show

Welcome to the Periop Talk—your go-to podcast series where we examine the world of perioperative nursing.

Episode after episode, we're bringing you professional tips, clinical wisdom, and personal stories that highlight the real world of perioperative nursing.
 
Curious about the latest surgical techniques? We got you. Wondering how to navigate the challenges of the periop journey? We're here for that too.

Our podcast series isn't just about sharing information; it's about building a community. Meet the people behind the masks, hear their journeys, and join the rotation of periop professionals making a difference. From students and new nurses to seasoned pros, we've got content for every stage of your perioperative practice.

Periop Talk is your peek behind the red line to the world of perioperative nursing. It's not just about the OR – it's about the heart and soul of healthcare. Let's scrub in and start making surgery safer, one podcast at a time.

Watch more episodes at: (1) Periop Talk vlog - YouTube