Registered Nurse

AORN26: OR-SPD collaboration reduces Instrument Contamination and improves surgical efficiency. AORN26 highlights how collaboration between the operating room and sterile processing department (SPD) reduced instrument contamination, minimized case delays, and improved patient safety, reinforcing the critical role of SPD partnerships in perioperative infection prevention. Instrument contamination remains a persistent and often underrecognized risk in perioperative care, with implications that extend beyond infection prevention to operational efficiency and patient satisfaction. At the 2026 (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo (AORN26), a poster presentation, "Decreasing Instrument Contamination Rates Through SPD Partnership and Collaboration" from Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) highlighted how intentional collaboration between the operating room (OR) and sterile processing department (SPD) can significantly reduce contamination rates and improve outcomes. Presented by Jade O. Boyd, MSN, RN, CNOR, nurse manager at NGHS, and coauthored by Lily Cantu, BSN, RN, charge nurse and coordinator at NGHS, the initiative focused on addressing contamination in surgical trays through strengthened interdisciplinary partnerships. A Risk That Impacts Both Safety and Efficiency Contaminated instruments pose an immediate threat to patient safety. When contaminated trays are identified, cases may be delayed or canceled, increasing the risk of infection and disrupting surgical workflows. These disruptions have cascading effects. Surgical delays reduce OR efficiency, limit the number of patients who can be treated, and contribute to dissatisfaction among both patients and surgeons. In a high-demand environment, even small inefficiencies can quickly escalate into broader operational challenges. The NGHS team recognized that reducing contamination required more than procedural fixes. It required alignment between the teams responsible for instrument preparation and those using them in the OR. Moving Beyond Silos Historically, SPD and OR teams have operated in parallel, with limited visibility into each other's workflows. This separation can create gaps in communication, expectations, and accountability. The NGHS initiative sought to bridge that divide by prioritizing collaboration between perioperative leaders and SPD staff. By working together, both teams were better able to identify sources of contamination, address inconsistencies, and standardize processes. This partnership model reflects a broader shift in perioperative practice, where success depends on shared ownership of outcomes rather than isolated responsibilities. Collaboration as a Core Strategy At the center of the initiative was a simple but powerful concept: meaningful reductions in contamination require active collaboration with SPD leadership. Rather than approaching contamination as a downstream issue, the team engaged SPD partners early in the process. This allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of how instruments are cleaned, assembled, transported, and handled in the OR. Through this collaboration, opportunities for improvement became clearer. Teams were able to align expectations, reinforce best practices, and create more consistent workflows across departments. Impact on Patient Safety and Workflow Reducing instrument contamination has direct implications for infection prevention. Clean, properly processed instruments are fundamental to maintaining sterile technique and preventing surgical site infections. At the same time, improvements in contamination rates contribute to smoother surgical operations. Fewer delays mean more predictable schedules, better resource utilization, and improved patient flow. For patients, this translates into shorter wait times and greater confidence in the safety and reliability of their care. For clinicians, it reduces frustration and supports more efficient practice. Implications for Infection Prevention Professionals For infection preventionists, this initiative reinforces the importance of collaboration across departments. Surveillance and policy development are essential, but they must be paired with strong relationships and communication at the operational level. SPD professionals are critical partners in this work. Their expertise in cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization is central to preventing contamination before instruments ever reach the OR. By engaging SPD teams as equal stakeholders, infection prevention programs can strengthen adherence, improve outcomes, and address risks more effectively. A Model for System-Wide Improvement The NGHS initiative offers a practical model for other health systems facing similar challenges. By focusing on partnership, communication, and shared accountability, organizations can address both clinical and operational risks associated with instrument contamination. As perioperative environments become increasingly complex, the need for integrated approaches will continue to grow. The work presented at AORN26 highlights a key takeaway for infection prevention and perioperative leaders alike: Meaningful improvement is not achieved in isolation. It is built through collaboration, alignment, and a shared commitment to patient safety. 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NGHS simulation center lands on national top list again. Here's what makes it stand out. The Times Published: Apr 6, 2026, 11:58 AM The Center for Simulation and Innovation at Northeast Georgia Health System has been named one of the top hospital and health system simulation centers in the United States by Becker's Hospital Review for the third consecutive year. Read this subscriber-exclusive story Keep reading this and other subscriber-exclusive stories! Click the button below to choose your plan. If you believe you have reached this message in error, ensure you have logged in and then contact its customer care team.

NGHS Hospitals win statewide Patient Safety awards. By Layne Saliba, Sr. Specialist, Public Relations and Marketing for Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is continually looking for ways to improve experiences for patients, and safety is the top priority when they visit a Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) hospital campus. That focus was recently recognized as the Georgia Hospital Association presented four of its Patient Safety and Quality Awards to NGMC Gainesville, Habersham and Barrow. "We always start with safety at NGHS," said Matt Hanley, MD, president and CEO of NGHS. "It's something our teams are committed to and prioritize every day, and these awards are direct evidence that their dedication is improving peoples' lives." NGMC Habersham won first place in the Hospitals With Less Than 100 Beds category for its project focused on reducing the time it takes for a patient to be placed in an inpatient bed after being evaluated in the emergency department. Thanks to the staff's collaborative work, NGMC Habersham saw a 61% increase in getting patients to beds in a timely manner, which directly impacts patient safety, reduces crowding in the emergency department and supports more timely access to care. NGMC Habersham was also presented with the Circle of Excellence Award, which is awarded to a hospital that wins an award in the current year as well as three or more awards within the previous five years. NGMC Gainesville won third place in the Josh Nahum Award for Infection Prevention and Control category for its project focused on reducing infections for patients in the hospital. The Infection Prevention and Control team created an online communication hub that provides staff with educational materials, clinical guidelines and operational resources that helped reduce catheter-acquired urinary tract infections and central line-associated bloodstream infections. At NGMC Barrow, a project focused on falls won third place in the Hospitals With Less Than 100 Beds category. Staff developed a plan that successfully reduced falls by: * Introducing a "No Pass Zone" to ensure no staff member walks past any type of alarm without responding. * Charge nurses review all high-risk patients at the start of each shift to ensure a Fall Prevention kit is available for patients who are at a higher risk of falling. The kit includes a yellow gown, yellow socks, yellow armband, bed/chair alarms, a gait belt for walking support and a virtual monitoring device. * Discovering the root cause of most falls came from patients trying to use the restroom without assistance. So, the hospital placed bedside commodes in the Emergency Department. Photo cutline Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Gainesville, Habersham and Barrow were recently awarded four of Georgia Hospital Association's (GHA) Patient Safety and Quality Awards. From L-R: Lynne Krieger, Deb Sailor, Valerie McBean, Yolanda Oakley, Stuart Downs, Beth Hester, Rachel Lewallen, Valeria Lewis, Samantha Underwood, Melissa Frank, Nicole Dunn, Kim Smith, Sandy Bozarth.