PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island Hospital’s operating room nursing staff has been recognized by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses with a Committed to OR Excellence Award, receiving the honor’s gold-level designation.
The AORN CORE Award recognizes individual perioperative units that distinguish themselves by improving every aspect of perioperative patient care. A gold-level designation indicates evidence of excellent and sustained unit performance and patient outcomes. One award is granted nationally each year, and the designation is valid for three years.
Rhode Island Hospital applied to AORN for consideration for the award, a process that requires self-evaluation and extensive description of the perioperative unit’s practices in six areas, including:
- Leadership structures and systems
- Appropriate staffing and staff engagement
- Effective communication
- Knowledge management, learning and development
- Evidence-based practice and processes
- Outcome measurement
Rhode Island Hospital was able to boost performance in several of the areas by virtue of the hospital’s onboarding program, developed to suit the individual needs of new staff, from novice nurses to experienced registered nurses changing their area of practice.
The onboarding program also pairs longtime OR nurses with all medical students, physician-assistant students and nurse-practitioner students to ensure consistent, aseptic practice and the highest quality of care. The Rhode Island Hospital OR staff also plans to partner with local colleges to give nursing students OR experience in addition to the usual practicum on medical and surgical floors.
“Our whole education plan is based on national safety goals,” said Joyce Smith, registered nurse and education coordinator for perioperative services at Rhode Island Hospital. “We try to be unique and novel with educational delivery, which in turn ensures that every patient gets the highest quality and safest clinical care possible.”
Rhode Island Hospital scored a perfect 450 score in the outcome measurement section of the AORN review, a rare accomplishment.
“Rhode Island Hospital undoubtedly boasts some of the best nursing care in the state,” said Barbara Riley, doctor of nursing practice, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Rhode Island Hospital. “Designations like this further demonstrate that our nurses, and the strength of the nurse leadership and education on our units, are among the best in the country.”
“Across the country, hospital facilities continuously strive to provide consistent, high-quality patient care and it is important they be recognized for their achievement,” said Linda Groah, executive director and CEO of AORN. “The CORE Award is a testament to Rhode Island Hospital’s clinical experience and their commitment to their patients and staff.”
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
