Patient Communication Techniques for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Patient Communication Techniques   Guidelines: Perioperative RNs advocate for patients/families by providing patient and family-centered care Designed to ensure timely, convenient, well-coordinated engagement of a person’s health and health care needs, preferences, and values Includes explicit and partnered determination of patient goals and care options Requires ongoing assessment of the care match with patient goals […]

Patient Confidentiality for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Patient Confidentiality   Guidelines: Perioperative RNs are accountable to advocate for patient safety, patient’s right to information, privacy, and confidentiality  Challenges related to patient confidentiality Physical surroundings and time pressure in the clinical setting Rounding Multi-patient rooms Communication challenges Where and with whom Relatives Language problems Minor translating for parent Uncomfortable with interpreter Navigation of […]

Verbal Order Read-Back for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Verbal Order Read-Back   Guidelines: READ BACK Other options first Resident Facilitate direct phone with next provider (pharmacy)   Considerations: Pre-emptive ordering Specimens Order sets Pass off pager   Nurse’s role: Enter verbal orders when needed Be familiar with EHR Never guess READ BACK Facilitate conversations with surgeons intraop Triage during critical times   Pitfalls: […]

Surgical Wound Classification Documentation for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Surgical Wound Classification Documentation   Guidelines: Accurate documentation of surgical wound classification by OR nurses is one critical element in determining the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) Surgical wound classification is determined via: Communication among the surgical team members Observation Review of the health record Surgical wound classification documentation is a component of patient […]

Sterilization and Cleaning (Instruments, Reusable Goods) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Sterilization and Cleaning (Instruments, Reusable Goods)   Guidelines: Perioperative personnel perform surgical instrument cleaning and sterilization to reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) Cleaning = removes microorganisms Decontamination = renders microorganisms noninfectious Sterilization = kills microorganisms and spores Cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization processes build upon each other and should be performed sequentially for […]

Transportation and Storage (Single Use Items) for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Transportation and Storage (Single Use Items)   Guidelines: Sterilization packaging systems are designed to: Permit a sterilant to contact the packaged contents Protect the sterile items from contamination during transport and storage until use Enable aseptic delivery of the items to the sterile field. Sterile items should be stored under controlled conditions to reduce the […]

Patient Rights Advocacy for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Patient Rights Advocacy   Guidelines: Entitled to Calm, quiet professional experience Individualized care Ask questions Control their care Comforting measures Explanation before implementation (positioning esp)   Considerations: Privacy in pre-op bay Noise from OR in pre-op or PACU Don’t put ortho right next to pre-op Assess anxiety and comfort levels Stoicism Warm blankets offer comfort […]

Specimen Prep, Tracking, and Transporting for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Specimen Prep, Tracking, and Transporting   Guidelines: Permanent, fresh, frozen Call before frozens! In person Margins Labeling Pt label Appendix Permanent IT:1539 FT:1543 01 Jan 2022 Dr. Smith, A Initial witness init Label formalin if not prefilled! Only enough to engulf the specimen Don’t pour in room Ordering per facility policy Most have RN place […]

Implant Verification and Availability for Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

Implant Verification and Availability   Guidelines: The perioperative nurse is responsible for verifying correct implants are available Nursing Process Comprehensive Surgical Checklist Surgeon Preference Card Knowledge of surgical procedure Knowledge of instruments, supplies, devices related to surgical procedure Surgical team communication (briefing/time-out) Verification of sterility or expiration date     Considerations: TJC Universal Protocol: National […]