BCHC Surgery Department Recognized as Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety
The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), has named Buchanan County Health Center (BCHC) as a Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation. This award recognizes BCHC for its commitment to patient and workplace safety by taking a comprehensive approach to ensuring a smoke-free environment wherever surgical smoke is generated. AORN’s Go Clear Award signifies that surgical teams at BCHC have successfully completed the comprehensive, evidence-based program and adopted technologies to ensure a surgical smoke-free environment for its patients and staff.
“Surgical smoke occurs every day in operating rooms and poses health risks to those exposed to it. AORN created this program so that every facility can understand the urgency and take steps to protect the health and safety of patients, nurses, doctors, and support staff,” said AORN CEO & Executive Director Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN. “This Center of Excellence for Surgical Safety designation shows the community that the surgical teams at BCHC are committed to providing high-quality care.”
Surgical smoke is a hazardous byproduct of any surgery involving a laser or an electrosurgical unit. Although research, professional organizations, and the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) identified surgical smoke as harmful many years ago, this byproduct continues to be a safety hazard in the operating room. The Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation (Go Clear ™) Program was developed to help perioperative teams improve safety efforts and protect staff and patients from the hazards of surgical smoke.
For more information about the surgery department at BCHC and its services, please visit BCHealth.org. To stay up-to-date with the latest news and announcements from BCHC, please follow Buchanan County Health Center on Facebook.