AORN

The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses is the national association committed to improving patient safety in the surgical setting.

01/31/2026

Now Open: AORN Foundation’s 2026–2027 Academic Scholarship Application

Are you pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree in nursing? The AORN Foundation is here to support your journey! Our academic scholarships help nursing students and perioperative professionals reduce financial barriers as they grow into future leaders in the field.

Application Period: Jan. 1 – June 15, 2026

Whether you're starting your nursing education or taking the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply! Learn more and apply here: https://aorn.secure-platform.com/scholarship

Please share this post to help us reach nursing students who could benefit from this opportunity!

01/31/2026

» Critical Patient Safety Revisions for 2026
The new AORN Guidelines book includes 36 guidelines and 6 major revisions in high-risk areas. Also has last year’s major updates, including ERAS. https://bit.ly/4a7mcBi

01/30/2026

Why do leaders choose AORN Expo?

We’re continuing our Board Spotlight video series with Charlie Lin MSN, APRN, NP-C, CRNFA, CNOR-PEDS, CNAMB, FAORN.

Hear what he loves about AORN Expo and why it continues to matter for perioperative leaders.

Register today and be part of the experience from April 11-14 in New Orleans: https://bit.ly/46Rm48R

01/30/2026

The AORN Guideline for Integration of Artificial Intelligence is now open for public review and comment.

This new, evidence-informed guideline offers practical guidance for perioperative teams on governance and oversight of AI, integrating and managing AI-enabled technologies across their lifecycle, addressing ethical, legal, reliability, and trust concerns, participating in AI-related research, and supporting education, policy development, and quality assurance in perioperative practice.

Your voice matters - review the guideline and share your feedback by January 31.
https://bit.ly/3wllY9J

01/29/2026

Here’s a sterile technique question from the AORN Nurse Consult Line—answered by our AORN Sr Perioperative Practice Specialist:

💬 "Is there a recommendation that implants be verified by the RN and surgical tech before opening to the field?"

🅰️: Before introducing any item to the sterile field, perioperative personnel should verify package and product integrity, sterility—including chemical indicator results—and expiration dates when applicable. Implants often require additional inspection or verification, such as confirming size and other device-specific characteristics (GL for ST 5.5).

Implants containing or impregnated with medications—such as medication pumps, antibiotic cement, or shunts—must also meet medication safety requirements, including allergy verification and adherence to the five rights of medication administration (GL for Med Safety 7.3 & 8.5). When an implant includes a medication component, documenting that medication in the patient's medication administration record is recommended (GL for Med Safety 8.5.1).

Tissue-based implants and transplantable organs may require further verification, such as ABO blood type confirmation, review of pathology or infectious disease screening results, or assessment for alpha‑gal syndrome. Organizations that store and replant autologous tissue may have additional verification steps, such as confirming patient identity and integrity of a cranial bone flap packaging when it is retrieved from freezer storage.

Consistent adherence to organizational policies, procedures, and manufacturer instructions for use is essential to ensure safe management and handling of all implants.

We’ll answer another real sterile technique question from the AORN Nurse Consult Line next week. The consult line is one of AORN's member benefits.

01/28/2026

Every OR has someone who makes a real difference.

Tag that colleague and make their day a little brighter!

Plan your sessions together: bit.ly/46Rm48R

01/28/2026

Register now for AORN’s Board of Directors & Nominating Committee Town Hall

Learn about the key issues impacting perioperative nursing and how the candidates plan to address today’s challenges and help shape the future of your profession.

Following the candidate speeches, join a virtual meet and greet to ask questions and connect directly with those seeking to serve.

Get to know the candidates in advance: https://bit.ly/3IZXPJJ

AORN Sign up to attend and be ready to vote: https://bit.ly/49TahIr

Online voting opens March 15 and closes at midnight (ET) April 13.

01/27/2026

AORN is saddened and concerned about the fatal incident involving ICU Nurse, Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis on January 24. In line with our mission, AORN has always and will always continue to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of nurses as they care for and speak up for patients and others on the job or elsewhere.

In addition, we urge the pursuit of transparency and accountability for this and similar tragic situations, and violence of any kind to protect nurses, the public and communities. We recognize the impact this has on the public and especially nurses in all areas of healthcare who support others’ well-being beyond direct care for patients and their families. Our deepest sympathies to the Pretti family and to all who are distressed by this situation. Nurses are united in purpose and passion, and losing one member tragically impacts all of us in multiple ways.

01/26/2026

When nurses share how much they carry forward from this event, it reinforces our commitment to offering education that truly supports you.

AORN Expo 2026 brings together learning, connection and practical insights to help you lead, grow and elevate your practice.

Check out the agenda: bit.ly/46Rm48R

01/26/2026

Pediatric trauma readiness isn’t just about clinical skill. It’s also about how well OR teams are set up to work together under pressure.

Here are 5 practical ways perioperative teams can strengthen pediatric trauma response, drawn from real-world trauma center experience:

1️⃣ Standardize trauma roles and expectations
When circulating nurses, scrub personnel, anesthesia, and support staff know their responsibilities in advance, teams can stay focused on patient care instead of clarifying roles in critical moments.

2️⃣ Keep trauma-ready ORs stocked for pediatric patients of all sizes
Designated trauma rooms with pediatric-specific supplies — from infants to adolescents — help reduce delays and support rapid adaptation to each child’s unique needs.

3️⃣ Use cognitive aids during high-stress moments
Checklists, visual algorithms, and reference guides help teams stay organized, reduce cognitive overload, and prevent critical steps from being missed under pressure.

4️⃣ Strengthen communication with closed-loop practices
Clearly stating, acknowledging, and confirming critical information improves situational awareness and coordination across perioperative nurses, anesthesia providers, surgeons, and trauma teams.

5️⃣ Rehearse through interdisciplinary simulation and drills
Regular pediatric trauma simulations allow teams to practice workflows, identify system gaps, and build confidence together — before it’s real.

These strategies all point to one shared goal: building systems and teamwork that support fast, coordinated, lifesaving care when seconds matter most. 🕒

As Michael Rempel, DNP, RN, CNOR, Pediatric Trauma Program Manager, puts it: “Readiness doesn’t happen in the moment. It’s built through standardization, communication, and practice — so teams can focus on the patient, not the process, when a pediatric trauma case arrives.”

🎤 These insights will be explored in the session “Tiny Patients, Big Impact: Navigating Pediatric Trauma in Perioperative Care” at the AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo in New Orleans

01/24/2026

Level up your career!

Get support for your CNOR, CSSM, or CNAMB certification thanks to grants funded by the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI).

Grants cover new certification testing only — don’t miss your chance to grow and shine. https://bit.ly/4iIVd2L

01/24/2026

Now Open: AORN Foundation’s 2026–2027 Academic Scholarship Application

Are you pursuing a nursing degree or advancing your education? The AORN Foundation is here to support your journey! Our academic scholarships help nursing students and perioperative professionals reduce financial barriers as they grow into future leaders in the field.

Application Period: Jan. 1 – June 15, 2026

Whether you're starting your nursing education or taking the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply.

Learn more and apply here: https://aorn.secure-platform.com/scholarship

Please share this post to help us reach nursing students who could benefit from this opportunity.

Address

2170 S Parker Road, Ste 300
Denver, CO
80231

Website

https://www.aorn.org/

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