Course Code: REL-ACU-0-PTSOPR
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2028
Learning Objectives:
Explain the role of evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines in perioperative care and how it enhances patient safety and surgical outcomes.
Identify key perioperative best practices that reduce surgical errors, prevent complications, and improve overall patient care.
Describe the connection between effective communication and OR safety, including its impact on teamwork, error prevention, and patient outcomes.
Outline:
Section 1: Evidence-Based Practice in the OR
A Case for Evidence-Based Practice in Perioperative Care
The Role of Inquiry in Improving Patient Outcomes
Implementing Change in Perioperative Practice
National and Global Safety Guidelines and Practice Standards
The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals
WHO’s Surgical Safety Checklist
Universal Protocol and Safe Surgery Initiatives
Review
International Standards for Safe Practice in Anesthesia
AHRQ’s Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP)
Key Takeaways
Section 2: Preventing Surgical Site Errors and Infections Using EBP
Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
Wrong-site, Wrong-side, or Wrong-person Surgery
Review
Retained Surgical Items (RSIs)
Missing or Mislabeled Specimens
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Improving Patient Outcomes Using EBP
Evidence-Based Practices for Perioperative Safety
Medication Safety in the OR
Anesthesia-Related Errors
Surgical Fires
Patient Positioning and Injury Prevention
Prioritizing Patient Safety
Review
Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
Safe Handling of Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Technology
Perioperative Hypothermia
Perioperative Blood Glucose Management
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Communication and OR Safety
The Importance of Effective Communication
Ineffective Communication
Recognizing Ineffective Communication
Strategies to Enhance Communication and Patient Safety
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 5: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Instructor: Rhiannon Winsor, Ed.D., MBA, CST, CRCST
Dr. Rhiannon Winsor is a subject matter expert in the field of surgical technology and adult education. She has an associate degree in Surgical Technology, a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing, a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), and a doctorate in Education with an emphasis on adult teaching and learning. She is a certified surgical technologist (CST) and a certified registered central sterile technician (CRCST). She has 27 years of experience in the field of surgical technology, during which 13 of those years have been spent teaching and managing surgical technology programs. She has working knowledge in the areas of orthopedics, general, obstetrics, gynecology, plastics, podiatry, sports medicine, neurology, genitourinary, peripheral vascular, ENT, maxillofacial, and laparoscopic surgery. She has also collaborated with several organizations to develop training programs in surgical technology, communication, compliance, cultural competency, medical terminology, and care management.
Subject Matter Expert: Brandy Verton, BSN, RN, CNOR
Brandy earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with summa cum laude distinction from Capella University. She is a certified perioperative nurse with versatile skills in circulator and scrub roles for different surgical specialties. Brandy has fulfilled several nursing leadership responsibilities as the Surgical Services Clinical Educator and Periop 101 instructor for UNC REX Healthcare in North Carolina. She has been an active member of various hospital committees and contributed to numerous process improvement initiatives. In the early stages of her career, she developed her core nursing skills while working on a postoperative and medical-surgical overflow unit. She served in various roles, including charge nurse, preceptor, Magnet Champion, and admission/discharge facilitator. Brandy is dedicated to elevating perioperative teams through evidence-based education, innovative training, and collaboration, ensuring safe surgical care and continuous professional growth.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Nursing Personnel; Surgical Personnel; in the following settings: Ambulatory Care, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)/Outpatient Surgical Centers, Hospitals: Acute, Hospitals: Critical Access (CAHs).
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All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.