Ensuring the proper use of lead aprons, thyroid shields, and distance protocols during fluoroscopy and X-ray imaging. The Development and Grading Process
The AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice, featuring the "Guideline Essentials" suite, provide evidence-based, actionable tools—including policy templates and gap analysis tools—to support implementation of best practices. These resources are designed for rapid, real-world application, aiming to enhance patient and workplace safety across the surgical continuum. For more details, visit AORN . AORN Guideline Essentials | Tools & Tips for Implementation
Strong recommendations for using smoke evacuation systems to protect perioperative staff and patients from the toxic byproducts of electrosurgery and laser tissue ablation.
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common and costly healthcare-associated infections. AORN places a massive emphasis on mitigating these risks through rigorous protocols: aorn guidelines for perioperative practice
In the high-stakes environment of the operating room, where a single moment of inattention can lead to a surgical site infection, a retained foreign body, or a patient positioning injury, standardized procedures are not just helpful—they are life-saving. For nurses, surgeons, and surgical technologists worldwide, the definitive source of these procedures is the .
In the high-stakes environment of the operating room, patient safety depends on rigorous adherence to evidence-based practices. The serve as the premier, authoritative resource for perioperative nurses and surgical teams worldwide. These guidelines provide comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations aimed at delivering optimal patient care, reducing infections, and improving surgical outcomes.
The collection serves as a foundational clinical resource, used to: Ensuring the proper use of lead aprons, thyroid
AORN does not create guidelines based on opinion. The organization utilizes a rigorous, multi-step research methodology to ensure every recommendation is backed by science.
The 2026 edition is a substantial update, reflecting the rapid evolution of surgical techniques and safety science. Key new and revised guidelines include:
Proper selection and application of skin preps (e.g., chlorhexidine gluconate or iodophors) using specific friction strokes. For more details, visit AORN
Moving within and maintaining the integrity of the sterile field during a procedure.
Translating the guidelines into daily practice requires a deliberate, team-based approach. Perioperative leaders play a critical role in driving adoption and overcoming resistance.
The guidelines cover the entire perioperative continuum: the (pre-admission/testing), intraoperative (the surgical procedure itself), and postoperative (recovery and Phase I/II PACU) phases.