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Contamination of the C-arm drape happens fast—especially at the top of the image intensifier during lateral positioning. AORN’s expert shares where contamination risks are highest and how to reduce exposure using safer draping techniques and practices from the Guideline for Sterile Technique.

Staffing remains one of the most complex and persistent challenges perioperative nurse executives face, from daily coverage to long-term workforce planning. Fluctuating surgical volumes, siloed decision-making, and time-consuming manual workflows make it difficult to balance cost control, operational efficiency, and staff satisfaction.

Discover what it takes for perioperative nurse executives to lead beyond the OR. David Wyatt, CEO and Executive Director of AORN, shares insights on executive leadership, strategic vision, and how nurse leaders can confidently step into the C-suite.

Test your general perioperative knowledge with this crossword puzzle.

One of the best perks of working in the OR is the team. Everyone knows their job and does it well. But what do you do when someone refuses to be a team player? Here are three tips (and one absolutely essential skill) to deal with inhibitory attitudes in the OR.

Entering unfamiliar surgical procedures as an orientee or recently trained nurse can be daunting. Utilize the preference card as a resource to alleviate fears and position yourself to anticipate the needs of the surgical team.

Caring for patients through their surgical journey is a big job—families and loved ones trust us and believe that evidence-based care will be delivered. So, speak up and continue to ask questions until you have the knowledge you need to take care of the patients under your watch.

OR delays can compromise sterility. Following AORN’s evidence-based strategies—like covering tables and limiting traffic—helps maintain a safe sterile field.

The story of the Time Out Tool Kit is a tale about the power that nurses have to change the world.

An effective time out prevents wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and wrong-person surgery.

This week, we come together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the surgical time out.

National Time Out Day draws attention to the need for everyone on the surgical team to pause before the procedure begins in order to make sure all are on the same page about the right patient, right site and right procedure. As we mark this milestone, we shift our focus from recognizing the importance of the surgical time out to ensuring that surgical teams are making adequate time for the time out.

A routine relief shift turned into a powerful reminder of why surgical teams must never skip the Time Out. When a nurse noticed a mismatch between the consent and the patient’s account, her quick action—and her team's calm, collaborative response—prevented a wrong-site surgery.

Periop Today Membership Statement.

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.

Enhance your OR team's effectiveness with strategies for Code Blue response in the OR, reducing chaos and improving patient survival rates.

Multiple state legislatures take up the issue of surgical smoke in the operating room.

A multidisciplinary team transformed intraoperative emergency response by refining code protocols and implementing simulation-based training. Their approach empowers perioperative teams to respond confidently and effectively to airway complications and cardiac arrests.

AORN’s updated Guideline for Transmission-Based Precautions outlines evidence-based practices to reduce infection risk in the OR. From PPE selection to EID preparedness, the guideline helps teams strengthen safety protocols and stay compliant with national standards.