Perioperative Series: Infection Prevention
In the U.S., approximately 110,800 surgical site infections (SSIs) were associated with inpatient surgeries over the course of a single year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). While the CDC suggests that initiatives and advancements in infection control practices have improved the prevalence of SSIs in the perioperative setting since 2015, continued education among perioperative healthcare professionals is a vital component of infection prevention. In the operating room (OR), a multitude of individual and environmental factors influence the risk of infection. Understanding these factors is key to reducing morbidity, mortality, and hospital stays associated with SSIs. While SSIs may be attributed to breaks in sterile technique or ineffective sterilization methods, this course will focus on other factors related to infection prevention in the OR.
The goal of this course is to equip nurses and STs in the OR with knowledge of perioperative infection prevention strategies.
In the U.S., approximately 110,800 surgical site infections (SSIs) were associated with inpatient surgeries over the course of a single year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). While the CDC suggests that initiatives and advancements in infection control practices have improved the prevalence of SSIs in the perioperative setting since 2015, continued education among perioperative healthcare professionals is a vital component of infection prevention. In the operating room (OR), a multitude of individual and environmental factors influence the risk of infection. Understanding these factors is key to reducing morbidity, mortality, and hospital stays associated with SSIs. While SSIs may be attributed to breaks in sterile technique or ineffective sterilization methods, this course will focus on other factors related to infection prevention in the OR. The goal of this course is to equip nurses and STs in the OR with knowledge of perioperative infection prevention strategies.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Nurses will receive 1.00 Nursing Contact Hours after successfully completing this course.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Association of Surgical Technologists
This course is approved for surgical techs from 07/01/2022 to 06/30/2025.
Review Date: 07/01/2022
California Board of Registered Nursing
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 13791
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Nursing
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Kentucky Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
North Dakota Board of Nursing
North Dakota Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South Carolina Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.00 contact hours for participating in this course.
Describe strategies for reducing infection risks associated with surgery and applicable surveillance techniques for detecting surgery-related infections.
Identify environmental and patient-related factors associated with surgical site infections.
Recall best practices and techniques for infection prevention in perioperative care.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Fundamentals
Emergency Department
Surgical Site Infection
Reducing Infection Vulnerability
SSI Surveillance Methods
Surgical Wound Classification
Classification of Wound Closure
Review
Section 3: Factors for Preventing Infection
Environmental Factors
Individual Factors
Review
Section 4: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Instructor: Brian C Sheridan, CSTBrandy graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Capella University. As a certified perioperative nurse, she has a wide range of experience in both circulator and scrub roles across various surgical specialties. Brandy's leadership experience includes serving as the Surgical Services Clinical Educator and Periop 101 instructor at UNC REX Healthcare, where she played an active role in numerous hospital committees and led several process improvement initiatives. Early in her career, she honed her nursing skills on a postoperative and medical-surgical overflow unit, taking on responsibilities such as charge nurse, preceptor, Magnet Champion, and admission/discharge facilitator. Currently, Brandy works as a perioperative subject matter expert and course writer at Relias.
Brian is an accomplished certified surgical technologist with over 19 years of experience. He graduated cum laude on the Dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement with a certificate in Surgical Technology from Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. He is well-versed in a variety of specialties including multi-surgeon complex cancer cases. As a preceptor, he enjoys sharing his knowledge with new surgical technologists and nurses, teaching them the fundamentals of the scrub role. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
The target audience for this course is: Nurses; Surgical Technologists; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
