Is it time for brushless scrubbing with an alcohol-based agent?

The practice of surgical scrubbing in perioperative settings is changing rapidly. This article presents information about eliminating the traditional scrub brush technique and using an alcohol formulation for surgical hand scrubs. Also covered are antimicrobial agents, relevant US Food and Drug Administration classifications, skin and fingernail care, and implementation of changes. The article challenges surgical team members to evaluate a new and different approach to surgical hand scrubbing.

International education--a kaleidoscopic view.

International travel presents opportunities for perioperative nurses to share their knowledge about surgical patient care and preventing the spread of infection. This article outlines the author's personal experiences with international travel, educational pursuits, and conferring with nurses, physicians, epidemiologists, hospital administrators, and medical product company representatives. It also discusses culture and values, teaching and learning, and accomplishments in settings where both financial and human resources are sparse, but outcomes are positive and meaningful.

Surgical asepsis revisited.

Basic principles, rituals, and surgical conscience are essential components of surgical asepsis. Surgical asepsis has become too complicated. Protective asepsis describes principles of good hygiene, sanitation, and impeccable aseptic technique; the term has received renewed interest in the advent and increased awareness of bloodborne diseases. Rituals may actually enhance learning and efficiency in the operating room even though they may or may not directly affect nosocomial infection rates.

Dare to excel in ambulatory surgery.

Outpatient surgery is not just an off-shoot or satellite of maturing inpatient care. It is a distinct entity and one nursing can use to full advantage. It is a superb clinical laboratory for nursing students who are studying perioperative nursing. Here, students can see all three phases of patient care in three to four hours. I chose the field of ambulatory surgery and found a new venture and a clinical area ready for creative ideas and new ways of implementing the nursing process. One characteristic of excellent companies, say Peters and Waterman, is the presence of champions. "The champion is not a blue-sky dreamer, or an intellectual giant. The champion might even be an idea thief. But, above all, he's the pragmatic one who grabs onto someone else's theoretical construct if necessary and bullheadedly pushes it to fruition." Are you a champion, and what will you do to make your ambulatory surgery center be known as the best?

The impact of surgery on body image.

Surgery has an impact on the patient's view of himself and his body. It is within the professional nurse's realm to skillfully assess, make a nursing diagnosis, plan, and follow through on findings of body image assessment. Operating room nurses can expand their roles by contributing to this dimension of care. Because of their close contact with the patient, they are in an ideal situation to attend to this patient need. O.R. nurses need not be "little psychiatrists" in order to do this--only caring, intelligent, resourceful persons who use the nursing process and truly place the patient's welfare above all else.