Amanda Heitman, a versatile perioperative nurse with a whopping 20-years’ experience and a proud member of Infection Control Today® Editorial Advisory Board, portrays a stellar career laden with a profound commitment towards maximizing patient safety and promoting surgical excellence. Her impressive background spans across surgical services education, leadership and a notable contribution to Periop Anew, a consulting and education company with primary focus on perioperative quality and safety.
Heitman’s vibrant career speaks volume about her outstanding contribution to clinical practice, pedagogy, advocacy and an admirable involvement in the administrative capacity of the AORN’s Periop 101 course. She combines a rich hands-on clinical practice with a supervisory role in surgical services at her current hospital. Her dedication to patient-care is evident in her attention to preparation, meticulous environmental control, constant inspection of surgical instruments and unrelenting vigilance which collectively bear synergic benefits in limiting infection risks. Her emphasis on aseptic technique and timely surgery corresponds with current best practices aimed at curbing surgical site infections.
Heitman’s work in the field of Infection Prevention is replete with updates on innovative methods which include the usage of chlorhexidine-based irrigation products to counteract antibiotic resistance, ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) protocols to facilitate shorter hospital stays, and revolutionary wound therapies such as fish-scale-based dressings and portable wound vacuum systems. Heitman challenges Infection Control Today to explore emerging problems related to the impacts of newer medicines, particularly those with infection-based side effects on surgical patients. Furthermore, she believes proactive measures in dealing with aforementioned risks not only necessitate protocol adjustments, but shines a spotlight on the evolving risks of present medication regimens and surgical procedures.