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

Congratulations to Maryland on going surgical smoke-free.đź’¨ On Tuesday, May 26, Maryland Governor Moore signed HB 1087 in...
05/28/2026

Congratulations to Maryland on going surgical smoke-free.đź’¨

On Tuesday, May 26, Maryland Governor Moore signed HB 1087 into law, making Maryland the 21st state to enact legislation to protect operating room staff and patients from surgical smoke.

The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2028, and requires each health care facility performing surgical procedures to adopt and implement policies that require the use of a smoke evacuation system during a surgical procedure that may generate surgical smoke.

Thank you to the advocates in Maryland who pushed for this important legislation and congratulations again!

Kratom is showing up in the perioperative setting—and it matters more than many teams realize. What’s often labeled a “n...
05/26/2026

Kratom is showing up in the perioperative setting—and it matters more than many teams realize.

What’s often labeled a “natural supplement” can significantly complicate surgical care, including:
▪️ Unpredictable hemodynamic changes
▪️ Altered anesthetic requirements
▪️ Risk of withdrawal
▪️ Coordination challenges across the perioperative continuum

One of the biggest risks? Patients rarely disclose supplement use unless specifically asked.

That’s why the preoperative assessment plays a key role. Early identification allows teams to plan ahead, adjust anesthetic strategies, and involve specialty support when needed.

This AORN Journal article explores kratom as an emerging perioperative nursing concern—and offers continuing education (CE) credits for those who read and complete the activity.

đź”— Read the article and earn CE:
https://aornjournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aorn.70077

Perioperative nurses on the other side of the world heard from AORN Board of Directors Vice-President, J.D. Buchert, MSN...
05/24/2026

Perioperative nurses on the other side of the world heard from AORN Board of Directors Vice-President, J.D. Buchert, MSN, M.Ed., MS, RN, CNOR, CPHQ, who a gave a presentation on Bullying and Incivility last weekend at the ACORN 2026 International Conference. The 20th biennial event was hosted by the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses, in Brisbane, Australia. He was joined by other AORN members from both Australia and the U.S.

Celebrating 35 Years of ImpactFor 35 years, the AORN Foundation has advanced perioperative nursing—supporting scholarshi...
05/23/2026

Celebrating 35 Years of Impact

For 35 years, the AORN Foundation has advanced perioperative nursing—supporting scholarships, education, and leadership development for periop nurses nationwide.

Now, we’re inviting you to be part of what comes next by joining the Periop Giving Circle.

For $35 a month (just $1.15 a day), you can help empower the next generation of perioperative nurses and sustain the programs that keep our profession strong.

As a Periop Giving Circle member, you’ll receive meaningful recognition and exclusive benefits designed to celebrate your generosity and connection to the AORN Foundation.

Learn more about the campaign, member benefits, how your support makes an impact and joining the circle visit: https://bit.ly/48k71om

Your commitment creates real, lasting change and together, we can shape the future of perioperative nursing for years to come.

Foundation

Building a 24/7 robotic surgery program takes more than technology, it takes alignment.Join us for a free live webinar o...
05/22/2026

Building a 24/7 robotic surgery program takes more than technology, it takes alignment.

Join us for a free live webinar on June 17 to learn how leading health systems are delivering round-the-clock robotic care through intentional structure, staffing, and teamwork.

In the webinar “Excellence by Design: Behind the Scenes of a Successful 24/7 Robotic Program,” experts share:

✔️ How to structure a reliable 24/7 program
✔️ Ways to align surgeons and perioperative teams
✔️ Staffing and training models built for continuous robotic surgery

Free | Earn 1 CH | Register Now: https://bit.ly/4dV7HnX

Sponsored by Intuitive

May 31 is the deadline to submit your AORN Expo speaker proposal.Think back to something your team figured out. A smarte...
05/20/2026

May 31 is the deadline to submit your AORN Expo speaker proposal.

Think back to something your team figured out. A smarter process. A safer approach. A change that made everything run a little smoother.

That experience has value far beyond your OR.

AORN Expo is where nurses share what worked, and where those ideas continue to move across teams and organizations.

If you’ve been part of something that made a difference, now is the time to speak.

Start your proposal here: https://bit.ly/3Pn7MH3

AORN’s Emily Jones, PhD, RN, CNOR, EBP-C, participated in the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) Hill Day and Thank a Nur...
05/20/2026

AORN’s Emily Jones, PhD, RN, CNOR, EBP-C, participated in the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) Hill Day and Thank a Nurse Congressional Reception on May 12 in honor of National Nurses’ Week.

Dozens of nurse advocates descended on Capitol Hill that day to advocate for funding for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, support for that National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Nursing Research, and bills to reduce the shortage of nurse faculty, advance academic nursing, and improve care and access to nurses, among other NCC priorities.

“It was a privilege to represent AORN and help highlight the essential role nurses play in delivering quality care and improving patient outcomes," Jones said.

"Advocacy like this is vital to ensuring a strong, sustainable nursing workforce for years to come.”

What you figured out in your OR could change how another team works tomorrow.Every improvement you’ve been part of matte...
05/18/2026

What you figured out in your OR could change how another team works tomorrow.

Every improvement you’ve been part of matters. The fix that reduced delays. The communication that made a case safer. The process that helped your team move with more confidence.

Expo sessions are built on real experiences like yours. Not theory. Not guesswork.

If you’ve found a better way, it’s worth sharing.

Submit your speaker proposal for AORN Expo 2027 in Philadelphia by May 31.

Start a Proposal here: https://bit.ly/4tLbzMy

3D-Printed Surgical Guides 3D printing continues to transform health care, especially in the creation of customized surg...
05/18/2026

3D-Printed Surgical Guides

3D printing continues to transform health care, especially in the creation of customized surgical molds and guides that enhance precision in medical procedures. While many studies focus on structural integrity and sterilization compatibility, one step often has been under examined: cleaning.

A new quasi experimental study from a hospital in SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil, evaluated both the cleaning efficacy and structural conformity of 3D printed surgical molds and guides using protein testing. Ten printed models underwent manual cleaning, followed by manual and automated drying, offering valuable insights into how these devices can be safely prepared for clinical use.

This research fills a gap in the conversation around 3D printed molds and their real-world application in the OR.

Read the full study in the AORN Journal: https://aornjournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aorn.70075

Creating a smoke-free OR depends on your voice.Learn how to become a clean air advocate in the live webinar: Leader Exch...
05/15/2026

Creating a smoke-free OR depends on your voice.

Learn how to become a clean air advocate in the live webinar: Leader Exchange: Clearing the Air Through Nurse Advocacy.

Explore how healthcare leaders can support legislative efforts, raise awareness of surgical smoke risks, and implement evidence-based practices aligned with AORN and OSHA guidance.

Join the conversation and learn the tools and strategies to make a difference: https://bit.ly/4vsPdBq

Sponsored by CONMED

NEW WEBINAR: Every Stitch Matters: Optimizing Suture Selection to Reduce SSI RisksJune 24 | 1-2pm ET | 1 CESurgical site...
05/13/2026

NEW WEBINAR: Every Stitch Matters: Optimizing Suture Selection to Reduce SSI Risks
June 24 | 1-2pm ET | 1 CE

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. Preventing them requires consistent, evidence-based decisions right through to closure.

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to:
• Strengthen your SSI prevention approach with proven bundles
• Apply evidence-based suture selection
• Understand the clinical and economic impact of closure decisions
• Align practice with global health recommendations

Suture selection is a crucial decision in optimization of patient outcomes for every case. This webinar helps you close every case with consistency and confidence.

Register now → https://bit.ly/48WqN9S

Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson MedTech

Address

2170 S Parker Road, Ste 300
Denver, CO
80231

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when AORN posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to AORN:

Share