Operating Room

The Infection Control Today^® operating room page provides news articles and videos on the intersection between surgery and infection prevention. The operating room is a prime breeding ground for harmful pathogens to spread, resulting in surgical site infections. The role of the infection preventionist, together with the perioperative nursing staff, is to craft policies and processes to cut down on these infections and ensure patient safety during surgical procedures.

The Missing Link in Hand Hygiene: Why Dose Size Determines Performance

May 05, 2026

On World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5), new insights highlight a critical gap: even when compliance is documented, sanitizer dose size may limit effectiveness, making proper ABHR dosing essential for true infection prevention.

$7.65 Million Verdict in KU Medical Heater-Cooler Infection Case Highlights Ongoing Risks of Mycobacterium chimaera in Cardiac Surgery

April 30, 2026

A Kansas jury awarded $7.65 million in a fatal KU Medical infection case tied to contaminated heater-cooler devices, renewing attention on Mycobacterium chimaera risks, device disinfection failures, and patient safety in cardiac surgery.

Critical Water Quality Challenges in Sterile Processing: HSPA 2026 Case Study Highlights Lessons From VA Health Care Facilities

April 29, 2026

A case study presented at HSPA 2026 revealed how 2 VA facilities overcame persistent bacteria, conductivity, and biofilm issues in sterile processing water systems through recirculation, system mapping, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Bugs on Gloves: When Barriers Become Carriers of Infection-causing Microorganisms

April 24, 2026

Improper glove use in health care can turn protective barriers into vectors of infection, increasing contamination risks, cross-transmission, and HAIs when hand hygiene and proper protocols are not consistently followed.

Arlene Bush Reflects on HSPA Presidency Ahead of 2026 Conference: Advocacy, Certification, and the Future of Sterile Processing

April 23, 2026

As Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, CHL, SME, DSMD, CRMST, concludes her HSPA presidency, she reflects on advocacy, certification efforts, and collaboration, emphasizing mentorship and continued progress in sterile processing ahead of the 2026 conference in Baltimore.

AORN 2026: Colleen Becker, PhD, on Why Nursing Education Must Evolve as a Science

April 21, 2026

At AORN 2026, Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, highlights how nursing education must evolve with technology, generational learning styles, and workforce shortages to better prepare nurses for modern health care challenges.

AORN 2026 New Orleans: Evidence-Based Colorectal SSI Bundle Reduces Surgical Infections Through Standardized Intraoperative Nursing Care

April 15, 2026

At AORN 2026 in New Orleans, a colorectal SSI bundle shows how standardized intraoperative nursing practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and data tracking can reduce infections and improve surgical outcomes.

AORN 2026 New Orleans: “Up in Smoke” Poster Urges Nationwide Surgical Smoke Evacuation Policy to Protect OR Staff and Patients

April 14, 2026

At AORN26 in New Orleans, a poster highlights surgical smoke risks, urging nationwide evacuation policies to protect health care workers and patients and strengthen nurse-led advocacy for safer operating rooms.

AORN 2026: Experts Address Endoscope Reprocessing Gaps With Borescope Inspections and Frontline Education

April 14, 2026

At AORN 2026, experts highlight gaps in endoscope reprocessing, stressing pre-cleaning, visual inspection, and borescope use to improve patient safety and strengthen perioperative and sterile processing collaboration.

AORN26: Making the Case for Dedicated Perioperative Infection Preventionists

April 14, 2026

At AORN 2026, experts highlight how dedicated perioperative infection preventionists reduce surgical site infections, improve staff engagement, and drive ROI through standardized practices, real-time education, and data-driven strategies.