Prevention of infection for both surgical patients and healthcare workers is a primary objective for perioperative personnel; improvements in infection control practices can reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections and exposure to communicable disease. The appropriate selection and use of gloves in the perioperative practice environment is a key infection control practice. Therefore, nurses and other perioperative personnel should be knowledgeable about the key considerations in selecting gloves that are appropriate for the various tasks they perform in their patient care activities on a daily basis. This continuing education activity will provide a brief historical review of the evolution of the use of gloves as a protective barrier and several important issues related to gloving. The various types of materials used to manufacture gloves will be presented. The protective qualities of examination and surgical gloves currently used in the clinical practice settings will be explored, including a review of glove barrier properties, strength, durability, and other very important characteristics. The current recommendations by regulatory agencies and professional associations for glove manufacturing and glove usage also will be outlined. Specific criteria for the selection and use of examination and surgical gloves will be presented. Finally, selected case studies will provide the participant with the opportunity to synthesize the information and evaluate workplace scenarios with regard to appropriate glove selection and use.

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As the requisite use of protective barriers has evolved over the years, the use of gloves also has become more prevalent as a key strategy for reducing the risk of an exposure incident. Perioperative personnel use gloves on a daily basis to protect themselves from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials in the surgical practice setting. But in today’s healthcare environment, new pathogens, in addition to well-known pathogens that have developed resistance to therapeutic modalities, have given greater awareness to the use of gloves as a primary protective barrier for perioperative staff members. Paralleling these developments is the practice of double-gloving. Therefore, it is imperative that members of the surgical team understand the role of protective barriers, as well as the practice of double-gloving as an exposure risk reduction strategy. This continuing education activity will provide an historical review of the evolution of the use of gloves as a protective barrier. The current impact of occupational exposure on healthcare workers will be presented. The contemporary literature citing the practice of double-gloving as an effective risk reduction strategy also will be reviewed. Recommendations promulgated by professional associations will be outlined. The implications of double-gloving in the surgical practice setting, including approaches to implement a change in practice and the identification of perceived barriers, will be discussed. Finally, selected case studies will provide the participant with the opportunity to synthesize the information and evaluate workplace scenarios with regard to double-gloving practices and policies.

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This online course provides an overview of the impact of surgical attire (scrub apparel and head covers) on patient safety in the operating room.

• Historical development of attire
• Major types of materials used in fabrication of attire
• Guidelines related to surgical attire
• Rationale for surgical attire
• Clinical scenarios

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Surgeon preference cards - which indicate the equipment, instruments and supplies preferred by each physician for a specific procedure - provide the basis for business, financial and operational decisions in the OR. Although effective preference card management plays a critical role in the efficient operation of perioperative suites, little information is available to assist nurses with managing the process around preference cards. This educational activity has been designed to help nurses with the development and management of the surgeon preference card system. This study guide includes seven specific steps facilities can take to positively impact OR efficiency and patient care by improving preference card management.

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Sharps injury prevention is an important safety initiative in the surgical setting. This free, online program reviews risk factors, reduction strategies, organizational initiatives and the personal responsibility of personnel to create a culture of safety in surgical settings.

At the end of the program, the learner should be able to:

• Describe prevalence of sharps injuries in perioperative personnel.
• Identify 3 risk factors for sharps injuries in the OR.
• List key components of an organizational sharps safety program based on regulatory agency and professional organizations' guidelines and standards.
• Name 2 important risk-reduction strategies designed to prevent sharps injuries.
• Define personal responsibilities to protect yourself and provide a safe work environment for others.

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Infection prevention for the surgical patient has taken on greater significance today in the face of new pathogens and multi-drug resistant organisms, as well as the increased economic pressures to reduce healthcare-associated infections. A key measure in reducing the risk of infection during an operative or invasive procedure is to provide surgical instruments and devices that are sterile at the time of use. In order to assure their sterility, surgical instruments and other medical devices must be packaged appropriately prior to sterilization. Sterilization wrap or packaging material must provide an effective barrier to microbial penetration and also protect the packaged items from contact contamination during handling. Therefore, perioperative personnel involved in the use, care, and handling of sterile surgical items must remain aware of the relationship between proper packaging and sterility assurance of the packaged items. This continuing education activity will provide a review of sterility assurance with a focus on packaging. A brief overview of the impact of surgical site infections will be presented. Sterility assurance as it relates to the various sterilization processes and sterile packaging will be discussed. Key criteria for the appropriate selection and use of packaging materials will be reviewed, followed by various professional guidelines for best practices related to packaging. The types of sterilization wraps will be described, highlighting the advantages of double-layer wraps for simultaneous wrapping. Finally, troubleshooting techniques to avoid and resolve wet packs will be outlined.

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This online course provides information about surgical fires, including how they occur and practices to prevent them.

• Components of the fire triangle
• Measures for prevention of surgical fires
• Tools to assess risk of fire
• Patient care scenarios for appropriate intervention

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The operating room (OR) is a unique practice environment that by its nature, places staff members at higher risk for certain exposure incidents and injuries. An understanding of the numerous risk factors for these incidents and injuries, as well as the applicable regulations and safety guidelines, is imperative for maintaining compliance with the standards, thereby promoting employee safety. This continuing education activity will provide a review of various workplace safety standards and regulations as well their implications for perioperative nurse managers and educators who are responsible for maintaining compliance. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) role in the development of workplace safety standards, followed by the OSHA standards applicable in the OR setting, will be reviewed. Other employee safety issues and professional practice guidelines, including those related to fire safety, ergonomics, laser safety, latex and powder allergies, exposure to surgical smoke plume and chemicals, and radiological exposure will also be discussed. Finally, selected case studies will provide the participant the opportunity to synthesize the information and evaluate workplace scenarios in regard to compliance with employee safety standards.

The "Taking Safety Into Your Own Hands" continuing education program includes two activities: (1) DVD video and (2) study guide. It will be presented in an in-service format only.

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This course provides a review of hemostasis and the biochemistry and pharmacology of anticoagulation mechanisms. The presenter thoroughly discusses various pharmacologic anticoagulants as well as a new non-pharmacologic method.

Learning objectives:

• Identify the conditions that might require anticoagulation therapy
• Describe the pathophysiology of clotting disorders
• Compare the medications used in oral anticoagulation and anti-platelet therapy including mechanism of action, safety and efficacy
• Explain non-pharmacological methods of anticoagulation therapy
• Describe non-pharmacologic management of bleeding issues in patients on anticoagulation or anti-platelet therapy

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This online course provides a review of the clinical considerations regarding the appropriate selection and use of facial protection devices in various surgical practice settings.

• Types of facial protection devices available today and their components
• Regulations governing the manufacture and performance standards of facial protection devices
• Key criteria in the selection and use of facial protection devices for specific clinical applications

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This online course explains the provisions of the ANSI/AAMI PB70 in detail, as well as the standardized tests and other factors that must be taken into account when choosing barrier products. After completing this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to:

• Summarize the clinical rationale for the use of surgical gowns and drapes
• Identify standardized tests used in the industry to evaluate the effectiveness of barrier materials, with emphasis on tests specified ANSI/AAMI PB70 and other pertinent testing methods
• List factors that must be taken into account when choosing barrier products, including barrier performance, strength, comfort, safety, cost effectiveness, and environmental concerns
• Identify the clinical importance of high-performing drapes and gowns

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