Safe and effective infection prevention in the perioperative setting is more than just adhering to policies and checklists. This is the viewpoint of Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, who serves in the capacity of senior director of perioperative education at AORN. According to her, the bedrock of robust infection prevention efforts lie in the pillars of trust, clear communication, and an atmosphere of psychological safety within the operating room squad.
In the perioperative context, Becker points out that infection prevention is a prime concern for the entire team, but holds a special significance for the perioperative registered nurse who is entrusted with the responsibility of the patient’s care. Leadership, she believes, plays a pioneering role in fostering trust. A leadership that is characterized by competence, transparency, and approachability instills a sense of safety in the staff, encouraging them to voice their concerns about infection risks or workflow hitches.
Becker lays emphasis on nurturing a sense of psychological safety, asserting that it simultaneously bolsters adherence to infection prevention measures and boosts resilience among staff. This atmosphere encourages collective problem-solving, preventing the onus from falling on any single person. Perioperative nurses, according to Becker, have a distinctive role as advocates for patients, representing their interests during their most vulnerable moments. Open communication, on a constant basis, is critical to enabling staff to speak up about potential infection hazards.
Effective communication involves sharing of data, collaborative goal-setting, and an unwavering focus on patient safety. Infection prevention efforts also stand to gain from the diversity and inclusivity within teams, contributing varied insights and cultural knowledge that textbooks may fail to capture. The challenge of burnout, however, remains a significant hurdle, exacerbated by staffing shortages and stress, often leading to shortcuts in infection prevention.
The future, Becker asserts, is in ongoing, accessible education that bolsters both skill and self-assuredness. AORN’s education programs exemplify this, being inclusive, evidence-based, and adaptable to various learning styles. Becker contextualizes perioperative infection prevention as a pursuit that places people at its heart, underscoring the importance of supporting staff who provide care, in order to ensure safety, compassion, and excellence at all times.