OR Today July 2026

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New Challenges & New Opportunities

Mandatory or Myth?

Facility Fees in ASCs

CS & Sterile Processing

NIFA

MLSO

LIFE IN AND OUT OF THE OR

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COVER STORY Healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience violence in the workplace than employees in other industries.

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Healthmark and Getinge have come

What is confirmation bias and how does

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COVER STORY Workplace Safety in the OR: Addressing Violence, Stress & Burnout

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Kennedy Krieg

10 CCI: Keeping Competence Current: Why Credential Maintenance Is Essential to Safe Perioperative Practice 12 NIFA: New Challenges & New Opportunities 14 HSPA: Elevating Sharps Safety in Sterile Processing 16 AAMI: Joint Commission, HSPA and AAMI Share a Stage 18 MLSO: Mandatory or Myth?

20 ASCA: Facility Fees in ASCs 21 Webinar Details Hidden Compliance Risks in the OR-SPD Workflow 22 Corporate Profile: Healthmark, a Getinge Company 26 News & Notes 32 Southeast Periop Conference

EVENTS Kristin Leavoy Sydney Krieg

ACCOUNTING Diane Costea

WEBINARS Linda Hasluem

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CNOR, FAORN, FAAN Perioperative Consultants, LLC

35 M arket Analysis: CS & Sterile Processing on the Rise 36 Product Focus: CS & Sterile Processing

Justin Fontenot, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAADN Associate Professor, Tulane University

OUT OF THE OR

School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA

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Sterile Processing Association, HSPA Pat Thornton, MSM, RN, CNOR Perioperative Consultant, RNFA Dermatology Institute Dawn Whiteside, DNP, MSN, RN, CNOR, NPD-BC, RNFA, Director of Education, CCI

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS CCI

Keeping Competence Current: Why Credential Maintenance Is Essential to Safe Perioperative Practice nyone who uses a

A smartphone is familiar with

the regular prompt to install a software update. It is easy to postpone. At first, nothing seems wrong. But over time, apps begin to lag, features stop working as expected and security risks increase.

Eventually, the device no longer functions the way it should.

Professional competence follows a similar pattern. Without ongoing updates through learning and engagement, knowledge and skills can fall out of alignment with current practice. In perioperative nursing, where patient safety depends on precision and up-to-date knowledge, that gradual drift carries real consequences. Credential maintenance provides a structured way to prevent it.

Initial certification demonstrates that a nurse has met established standards of knowledge and clinical readiness at a specific point in time. It reflects preparation to practice safely within a defined role.

What it does not guarantee is that those competencies will remain current without reinforcement. Evidence shows that knowledge and skills can decline over time, while practice continues to evolve in response to new research, technology and patient needs (Anguish, 2025).

In perioperative environments, those changes are constant. Advances in surgical techniques, infection prevention protocols and patient safety initiatives require clinicians to continually adapt.

Competence, therefore, is not static.

It must be actively maintained and

10

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

regularly reassessed.

Continuing professional development plays a central role in maintaining competence. Research demonstrates that ongoing education strengthens clinical performance, sharpens decision-making and contributes to improved patient outcomes (Alruwaili et al., 2024).

Ongoing education also supports patient safety by helping clinicians stay current with evolving protocols and reducing the likelihood of errors (Nebraska Methodist College, 2025).

For perioperative nurses, this connection is particularly significant. Their responsibilities include maintaining sterile technique, coordinating complex surgical processes and implementing infection prevention strategies. Research highlights the critical role perioperative nurses play in preventing surgical site infections and improving patient outcomes, reinforcing the importance of staying aligned with current evidence-based practices (Ellsworth et al., 2023).

Credential maintenance exists to ensure that certification continues to represent current competence rather than a historical achievement. Most certification programs are time-limited and require renewal through activities such as continuing education, clinical practice hours or assessment (Anguish, 2025). These requirements are intentionally designed to reflect the pace of change within the profession and the potential risks associated with outdated knowledge.

This approach aligns with broader expectations across healthcare. Regulatory bodies and professional organizations

recognize that competence must be demonstrated throughout a clinician’s career, not only at the point of initial licensure (Whittaker et al.). At its core, credential maintenance is about public protection, ensuring clinicians remain prepared to deliver safe and effective care.

The concept of credential maintenance is also evolving.

Increasingly, healthcare organizations are moving toward models that emphasize continuous learning rather than periodic, high-stakes recertification events.

These models integrate shorter learning cycles and more frequent knowledge checks, allowing clinicians to identify and address gaps in real time (Gill and LeBuhn, 2025).

This shift toward continuous competence also aligns with emerging leadership frameworks in healthcare. The TRUST Leadership Framework emphasizes that effective change and innovation depend on systems that support ongoing learning, adaptability and collaboration.

It highlights trust as both a prerequisite and an outcome of effective practice, reinforced through transparency, relationships, understanding, support and teamwork (Wymer, Stucky, Weberg, 2026).

Perioperative nurses operate in a high-risk environment where consistency and accuracy are essential. Maintaining competence requires staying aligned with evolving clinical guidelines. Infection prevention provides a clear example. Strategies to reduce surgical site infections depend on standardized protocols and consistent adherence to current evidencebased practices across the perioperative continuum (Rosa et al., 2023).

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Without structured mechanisms for maintaining competence, variability in practice can increase, creating gaps that may affect patient safety. Even experienced clinicians can fall out of alignment with current best practices over time.

As professionals advance in their careers, their roles often evolve. Some move into leadership, education or administrative positions where they are no longer performing the same clinical responsibilities. In these cases, maintaining a specific clinical credential may no longer reflect their daily work. Allowing a credential to lapse can be an appropriate decision when it aligns with a shift in professional focus.

Certification carries meaning because it signals competence, accountability and commitment to professional standards. Research shows that certification and continued competence are associated with improved patient outcomes and reduced error rates (Puglise, 2025). For patients, this reinforces trust in the care they receive. For organizations, it supports a culture of safety and quality.

Healthcare will continue to evolve, driven by advances in technology, research and patient care delivery models.

Maintaining competence is not simply about meeting certification requirements. It is a professional responsibility that directly affects patient safety and outcomes. Credential maintenance provides the structure to support that responsibility over time.

Like the software updates we rely on every day, staying current is not always convenient. But it is essential to maintaining performance, safety and trust.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS CCI

References 1. Alruwaili THJ, et al. The impact of continuing education on nursing practice and patient outcomes.

Int Neurourol J. 2024.

2. Anguish L. The importance of certification maintenance. Credentialing Insights. 2025.

3. Ellsworth M, et al. Perioperative nurses: Key to surgical site infection prevention. AORN Journal. 2023.

4. Gill C, LeBuhn B. The future of healthcare credentialing is an ongoing dialogue, not a one-and-done certification.

Becker’s Hospital Review. Sept. 1, 2025.

5. Nebraska Methodist College. How continuing education improves patient safety. 2025.

6. Puglise K. Competency and certification in nursing practice. 2025.

7. Rosa R, Sposato K, Abbo LM. Preventing surgical site infections. AORN Journal. 2023.

8. Whittaker S, et al. Assuring continued competence.

Online Journal of Issues in Nursing.

9. Wymer JA, Stucky CH, Weberg D. The TRUST Leadership Framework for clinical innovation and effective change. Excellence and Credentialing in Health Care.

2026;1(2):e0013.

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS NIFA

New Challenges & New Opportunities

By James X. Stobinski, Ph.D., RN, CNOR(E), CSSM(E), CNAMB(E) n this column, I return to one of my favorite sources of topical news in American healthcare; the Becker’s Healthcare Review website and two recent columns by Alan Condon. Condon speaks to the continued shift of surgical care to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and recent activity by Tenet Healthcare and Community Health Systems (CHS). Tenet and CHS are two high visibility stakeholders in the ASC segment of surgical care, and each has made headlines.(1,2)

I

There are 6,500 Medicare-certified ASCs in the United States and about 6,100 hospitals for a total of about 12,000 sites at which to do surgery.(3,4) Tenet’s USPI segment owns 533 surgery centers and 26 surgical hospitals with coverage in 37 states or about 8% of all American ASCs. SCA Health operates 320 ASCs (5%) and AmSurg operates 250 ASCs (4%). Tenet is steadily divesting its hospital stake and now owns just 49 acute care facilities.

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OR TODAY | Summer 2026

In a recent proxy report described

by Condon the leadership of Tenet Healthcare states, “We are focused on introducing new services at a lower cost and offering an excellent patient experience in the most clinically appropriate setting. … the evolution of our care delivery locations reflects our strategy to grow USPI.”(2) To appreciate the significance of these moves, we need to look back at the recent evolution of American healthcare. Inpatient admissions have been stagnant since the 1980s, but outpatient care and ambulatory surgery have grown rapidly in that time.

While hospitals continue to get larger and more technologically intensive, we have far fewer hospitals than we had in the early 1970s which was the American high-water mark for the number of facilities. This decrease in the number of hospitals has been ongoing despite steady growth in the overall population.

The Tenet strategy of evolving their care sites reflects the long-term shift in American healthcare away from acute care to ambulatory care. The purchase

of USPI by Tenet has precipitated the divestiture of select acute care hospitals, the purchase of additional ASCs and the building of new ASCs. It appears Tenet has stolen the march on their competitors to produce steady revenue growth. CHS has also been in the news in adding ASCs to their portfolio but their efforts, while noteworthy, are dwarfed by the market leader Tenet. CHS recently added two new surgery centers in Alabama to bring its ASC total to 36.

In a recent press release, CHS CEO Kevin Hammons stated that, “By offering additional services through these outpatient settings, we are driving growth for our health systems, delivering quality care and excellent outcomes, and optimizing the surgical experience …”(1) The statement by Hammons on offering additional services is meaningful in the larger picture of American healthcare. More services such as cardiac procedures and complex orthopedic and neurosurgery cases are increasingly common in ambulatory settings.

(5) The large players such as USPI and

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS NIFA

CHS are well-positioned to widen their care offerings in ASC settings.

More consolidation, coupled with new construction, is likely on the horizon. Increasing volume and more diverse surgical cases bring new challenges and new opportunities. The stakeholders who will prosper in this landscape must address persistent challenges such as staff shortages and rising supply costs. There is rich potential for growth and professional achievement in the ASC setting for perioperative leaders who can adapt to these changes. Yet, this may require developing new skills to succeed in this rapidly changing environment. The larger question is who can compete with the big players noted in this article in this evolving landscape.

James X. Stobinski, Ph.D., RN, CNOR(E), CSSM(E), CNAMB(E), is a faculty member at Central Michigan University and director of hospital and ASC surgical education relationships with National Institute of First Assisting (NIFA).

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CCI

Career of

1. Condon, A. (April 20th, 2026). CHS grows ASC footprint across Alabama, Alaska: 6 things to know. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/ finance/chs-grows-asc-footprint-across-alabamaalaska-6-things-to-know/?origin=BHRE&utm_ source=BHRE&utm_medium=email&utm_ content=newsletter&oly_enc_id=0705J2387567B1E 2. Condon, A. (April 21, 2026). How Tenet turned a hospital company into the nation’s largest ASC operator: 7 things to know. https://www.beckershospitalreview. com/finance/how-tenet-turned-a-hospital-companyinto-the-nations-largest-asc-operator-7-things-toknow/?origin=CEOE&utm_source=CEOE&utm_ medium=email&utm_content=newsletter&oly_enc_ id=0705J2387567B1E 3. Number of ASCs per state. (2026). Higher Logic, LLC. https://www.ascassociation.org/asca/medicare/asc-map/ ascs-per-state 4. Fast facts on U.S. hospitals, 2026 | AHA. (2026, February 5). American Hospital Association. https://www. aha.org/statistics/fast-facts-us-hospitals 5. VMG Holdings LLC (2025). ASC Leader Expectations for 2026.

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS HSPA

Elevating Sharps Safety in Sterile Processing

By Casey Czarnowski, Clinical Educator, HSPA nprotected sharp devices

U that enter the

decontamination area of the sterile processing department (SPD) – or sharps waste placed in an inappropriate container, such as a garbage bag – jeopardize the safety of those who handle the items. This article addresses the risks of sharps injuries in the SPD, as well as regulatory considerations and prevention strategies.

Sharps handled by sterile processing (SP) professionals may be contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).

SP professionals are also sometimes tasked with handling waste from the operating room. When sharps are improperly disposed of, they can pierce a bag and create a puncture wound in the employee. In the decontamination area, single-use saw blades, drill bits and scalpel blades that arrive still attached to instruments may go unnoticed, injuring the technician. Most healthcare facilities have policies that require sharps to be removed at the

14

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

point of use; therefore, SP professionals may not notice occasional lapses.

All sharp injuries in the decontamination area are considered potentially infectious and must be treated as such, resulting in additional testing costs, lost productivity and emotional distress for the worker.

Healthcare sharps safety is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the bloodborne pathogens (BBP) standard aims to protect employees – including those responsible for SP functions – from occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious pathogens. Specifically, regarding sharps safety, the standard addresses how devices must be disposed of and transported. It also contains sections on exposure control and compliance methods for transport containers, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Strategies to cut the risks To mitigate sharps injuries, healthcare organizations should implement engineering and administrative controls, policies and targeted education.

OSHA’s BPP is an essential tool for

creating hospital policies to prevent and manage sharps-related injuries and other occupational hazards. Additionally, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has developed a beneficial tool called the hierarchy of protection.

According to the NIOSH hierarchy, eliminating sharps or substituting devices redesigned without sharp edges are the top two effective ways to protect workers from injury. The tool places engineering controls that help isolate employees from a hazard third in the hierarchy, followed by administrative controls that address specific work practices. Engineering and administrative controls are essential because eliminating sharps from practice or substituting a non-sharp device is often unrealistic or infeasible.

Engineering controls can include the following examples: • Using approved containers for transporting sharps safely • Using commercially available tip protectors for sterilized instruments • Installing calibrated sinks and automated chemistry dispensers for the SPD decontamination area; these can help prevent cloudy water, making devices

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS HSPA

easier to see in the sink for safer cleaning and handling.

Administrative controls can include: • Robust, updated policies based on the OSHA BBP standard • Regular documented training, such as reinforcing the practice of properly managing disposable sharps at the point of use and securing and protecting reusable sharps to prevent injuries • Clear and regular communication for all employees about sharps safety and steps to take when policy noncompliance or injuries occur Equally important, healthcare executives and departmental leaders must establish a culture of transparency and trust to encourage, document and track reporting of sharps injuries.

Conclusion Most sharps injuries are preventable, and their occurrence can be reduced further through ongoing education, standards-based policies and procedures, and the adoption and implementation of engineering and administrative controls. Healthcare workers at every level must be aware of and actively help prevent sharps-related injuries. Employees must understand and follow policies and procedures, remind co-workers when they are engaging in unsafe practices, exercise caution when handling all devices – such as never rushing steps or reaching into a cloudy sink containing sharp instruments – and promptly report injuries when they occur.

References 1. www.cdc.gov/niosh/hierarchy-of-controls/about/index. html.

2. www.ecfr.gov/current/ title-29/part-1910/section-1910.1030 3. Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Sterile Processing Leadership Manual, Fourth ed. 2024.

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Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

15

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AAMI

Joint Commission, HSPA and AAMI Share a Stage AMI, Joint Commission

A and HSPA were each

represented on the same stage at the 2026 HSPA annual conference to discuss how voluntary consensus standards, hospital surveys and education improve sterile processing together. This tripartite keynote featured Amanda Benedict, AAMI vice president of sterilization; Damien Berg, vice president of strategic initiatives at HSPA; and Dr. Tiffany Wiksten of the Joint Commission.

AAMI’s Role as a Standards Developer Berg and Benedict took time to reflect on the conference after their keynote panel.

According to Benedict, care delivery settings and technology are evolving at breakneck speeds, and sterile processing professionals “need to evolve along with that.” AAMI’s role is upstream and downstream of the standards that SPD professionals use to keep patients safe. This includes ensuring that scientifically validated ideas are included in AAMI standards, technical information reports, and consensus reports, and 16

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

that those documents are useful on the job. The role of standards in health technology is to “improve safety, reduce variability and improve real-world applications,” Benedict said. Standards are also “extremely important to industry” as statements of consensus that establish a minimum threshold for effectiveness.

They also support innovation, market entry and differentiation from competitors.

Since all medical devices require standardized, evidence-based processes, SPD benefits from access to standards that codify fundamental terms and processes, provide structure for repeatable, reproducible processes and help ensure patient safety is not dependent on geography.

AAMI standards are “based on the science, and they reflect real healthcare sterile processing settings,” and their development maps to the processes used by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). AAMI standards committees are comprised of clinicians, sterile processing professionals, infection preventionists, academic researchers, regulators, industry and more. Once published, a standard like ST79 or ST108 “doesn’t sit on the shelf.”

Instead, they are subject to regular review, and potentially revision and amendment, a process that can be started at any time as regulations, technology and real-world conditions change.

HSPA’s Role as an Educator Standards, education and hospital surveys combine to form a systemic approach to patient safety. As an organization dedicated to education and certification, HSPA plays an important role in that system for sterile processing. After standards define evidence-based expectations, educators enable application, according to Berg. HSPA thus participates in AAMI standards working groups and contributes U.S. expertise in relevant ISO standardization activities. While HSPA does not produce standards or guidelines, Berg said, “We teach you where to find it.” HSPA also collaborates with surveying bodies like the Joint Commission, DNV, and state health agencies, which are “partners in patient care.” According to Berg, HSPA also plays a key role in communicating real-world conditions to surveyors and members of the medical device industry.

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS AAMI

Joint Commission on the New Role of Infection Prevention Wiksten stressed that requirements communicated or enforced by Joint Commission often originate from regulatory bodies. For example, as of January 1, 2026, high-level disinfection and sterilization are crosswalked to infection prevention and control, per Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements. “If infection prevention and control was not your best friend, I bet they’re going to be now.”

Infection prevention and control are now responsible for developing and implementing hospital-wide policies and procedures.

What about when Joint Commission comes to your facility?

Joint Commission surveys on behalf of CMS, and its surveyors look for compliance with applicable law and regulation. But laws and regulations do not cover every possible scenario in the SPD, hence the requirement to incorporate nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines and standards into your facility’s policies and procedures. Joint Commission’s approach to assessing compliance with infection prevention and control requirements includes three nonnegotiable components: rules and regulations; CMS requirements; and manufacturers’ instructions for use

(IFUs). Evidence-based guidelines and national standards, consensus documents and an organization’s policies, procedures and protocols will also be considered. Joint Commission also requires adherence to CDC core practices, like hand hygiene and correct PPE use.

How will reprocessing be evaluated at your facility? Wiksten indicated that a Joint Commission surveyor will assess the care, treatment, and services delivered to patients, the verbal and written information provided to JC, and the on-site observations and interviews conducted by Joint Commission staff.

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17

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS MLSO

MEDICAL LASER SAFET Y OFFICER

MLSO: Mandatory or Myth?

By Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, FAORN, FAAN, and Patti Owens, MHA, BSN, RN, CMLSO, CNOR, FAORN he rapid expansion of

T medical laser technology

across surgical, diagnostic and aesthetic specialties has transformed modern healthcare.

Lasers are now used in operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, dermatology clinics, ophthalmology suites, dental practices and office‑based surgery environments. As utilization increases, so does the complexity of managing laser‑related risks. This has elevated the role of the medical laser safety officer (MLSO), a position often misunderstood, inconsistently implemented or mistakenly viewed as optional.

The question persists: Is the MLSO truly mandatory, or is it a myth perpetuated by professional organizations and industry experts?

A close examination of regulatory frameworks, safety science and organizational liability demonstrates that the MLSO is not only essential but functionally mandatory for any facility using Class 3B or Class 4 medical lasers.

Regulatory Foundations: What the Standards Actually Require The most authoritative guidance for laser safety in healthcare is the ANSI Z136.3 American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care and the Association of periOperative Nurses (AORN) Guidelines. ANSI Z136.3 is a consensus group, and AORN provides evidence-based guidelines. While ANSI standards and AORN Guidelines are not federal law, they are widely recognized 18

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

as the de facto regulatory benchmark for laser safety programs. ANSI Z136.3 and AORN explicitly state that every facility using Class 3B or Class 4 lasers must designate a laser safety officer.

The MLSO is responsible for hazard analysis, control measures, credentialing oversight, policy development and ensuring compliance with engineering and administrative controls.

OSHA, while not issuing laser‑specific regulations, enforces the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. OSHA routinely cites ANSI Z136.3 and AORN as the authoritative standards when investigating laser injuries, smoke exposure or fire events. In this context, the absence of an MLSO is interpreted as a failure to implement recognized safety controls.

Accrediting bodies reinforce this expectation. The Joint Commission, DNV, AAAHC and AAAASF require organizations to demonstrate effective management of high‑risk equipment, including lasers. Surveyors frequently request evidence of laser safety training, credentialing, hazard assessments and policy enforcement and functions that fall squarely under the MLSO’s purview.

CMS Conditions of Participation similarly require facilities to maintain safe environments and ensure staff competency, both of which are directly tied to the responsibilities of an MLSO. Thus, while the term “mandatory” may not appear in federal statute, the regulatory ecosystem makes the MLSO functionally mandatory. Facilities that fail to designate an MLSO risk citations, accreditation jeopardy, civil liability and preventable patient or staff harm.

Clinical Risk: Why Medical Laser Safety Cannot Be Optional Medical lasers are classified as high‑risk devices for a reason. Class 3B and Class 4 lasers can cause instantaneous and permanent ocular injury, severe skin burns, ignition of flammable materials and production of hazardous surgical plume. The risk profile is not theoretical; documented incidents include retinal burns, OR fires, airway injuries and staff exposure to carcinogenic plume particulates.

The MLSO is the only role specifically trained to evaluate and mitigate these risks. Their responsibilities include: • Conducting laser hazard analyses for each procedure type • Ensuring appropriate eyewear selection based on wavelength and optical density • Verifying engineering controls such as key switches, interlocks and smoke evacuation • Overseeing fire‑risk mitigation strategies • Ensuring staff competency and annual training • Monitoring compliance with safety protocols Without an MLSO, these responsibilities become fragmented, inconsistently applied or overlooked entirely. The result is predictable: increased risk of injury, equipment misuse and regulatory non‑compliance.

Operational and Organizational Imperatives Beyond regulatory and clinical considerations, the MLSO plays a critical role in operational efficiency and organizational risk management.

ORTODAY.COM

Healthcare facilities increasingly rely on lasers for revenue‑generating procedures.

A single adverse event – such as an eye injury or an operating room fire – can halt operations, trigger litigation and damage institutional reputation.

The MLSO provides: • Standardization of practice across departments and specialties • Reduction in equipment downtime through proper maintenance oversight • Improved staff confidence and performance through structured training • Documentation and traceability required for accreditation surveys • Risk mitigation that protects the organization from liability In an era where safety culture is a strategic priority, the MLSO is a cornerstone of high‑reliability operations.

The Myth: Why Some Believe the MLSO Is Optional The misconception that the MLSO is optional stems from several factors: • Lack of awareness among administrators unfamiliar with ANSI standards • Misinterpretation of regulatory language that does not explicitly use

the word “mandatory” • Underestimation of laser risk, especially in outpatient or office‑based settings • Assumption that vendor training replaces formal oversight • Resource constraints in smaller facilities However, none of these factors negate the regulatory expectation or the safety necessity of the MLSO. In fact, smaller facilities often face greater risk because of limited staffing, inconsistent training and the absence of a formal safety infrastructure.

The Reality: MLSO Is Mandatory in Practice, If Not in Name When evaluating whether the MLSO is mandatory or myth, the answer becomes clear: the MLSO is mandatory in practice, even if not explicitly mandated by federal statute.

The combination of ANSI standards, OSHA enforcement, accreditation requirements and clinical risk creates a regulatory environment where the absence of an MLSO is indefensible.

Courts and regulatory agencies consistently interpret ANSI Z136.3 as the standard of care. Facilities that fail to designate an MLSO are vulnerable

to citations, lawsuits and preventable harm. In this context, the MLSO is not a luxury or a professional preference; it is a critical safety role that protects patients, staff and the organization.

Conclusion The question of whether the MLSO is mandatory or a myth is resolved through a comprehensive review of regulatory expectations, safety science and operational realities. The MLSO is functionally mandatory for any healthcare facility using Class 3B or Class 4 lasers.

While the requirement may not appear in federal statute, it is embedded in the standards, expectations and enforcement mechanisms that govern healthcare safety. The MLSO ensures compliance, reduces risk, enhances staff competency and upholds the safety culture essential to high‑quality patient care. In modern healthcare, the MLSO is not a myth – it is an indispensable safeguard.

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Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

19

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS ASCA

Facility Fees in ASCs

By Bill Prentice ichigan recently introduced a

M bill that would prohibit

healthcare providers, including ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), from charging facility fees beginning January 1, 2027. HB 5770 would disallow providers to charge facility fees for professional medical services provided through telemedicine; professional medical services provided in a facility that is not a hospital; and professional medical services provided to a patient who is receiving outpatient service in a hospital, unless that service is provided in an emergency room or is observation. Enactment of this legislation would be the death knell to ASCs in the state and drive care back into the much more expensive hospital setting.

Facility fees are essential to running an ASC. While “professional fees” reimburse physicians and surgeons, facility fees reimburse the costs of supplies, medicines and services of other clinicians, e.g., nurses and physician assistants. Facility fees account for all costs of a patient’s care beyond the professional fee. If a bill like HB 5770 is enacted by a state, all surgery centers in that state would be unable to secure reimbursement for any portion of the cost of care beyond the professional fee and would have to shut down.

Michigan’s bill is not an anomaly. The past few years, health policy organizations and advocacy groups have targeted facility fees and advocated for site-ofservice restrictions to cut healthcare costs. These organizations, such as Arnold Ventures, America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Families USA and United 20

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

States of Care, have alleged that facility fees are made-up charges. They have used reports of hospitals charging facility fees at recently purchased off-campus locations, like physician offices, to strengthen their narrative. They also have routinely pitched proposals to their state and federal lawmakers identifying hospital practices as the reason governments need to restrict the charging of facility fees based on where medical services are received. And while surgery centers are not the focus of their efforts, the broadly written bills include ASCs in the restrictions.

Recently, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, North Carolina and Texas introduced legislation that would have prohibited healthcare providers, including ASCs, from charging facility fees for services provided outside of a hospital’s main campus. The Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society (TASCS) stopped the proposal in Texas, while the Colorado Ambulatory Surgery Center Association and the Connecticut Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers convinced legislators to narrow the scope of their proposals to protect ASCs from the restrictions. The legislation in Maine was amended to create a task force to evaluate the impact of facility fees and then enacted by the governor, while the legislation in North Carolina died at the end of the 20232024 state legislative session.

Despite TASCS’s extensive lobbying, Texas introduced another bill in 2025 containing similar provisions to its last bill from 2023. In addition, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington also introduced measures last year restricting facility fees. Thanks to the efforts of state ASC associations and ASCA, no legislation with facility

fee restrictions impacting ASCs has been enacted.

These proposals have made clear that both advocacy organizations and lawmakers are unaware of the ASC model, facility fees, the scope of the proposed restrictions and how pricing works in healthcare. State ASC associations and ASCA are working together to educate lawmakers about ASCs and have succeeded in pushing back against some of the proposals.

Without facility reimbursements, ASCs cannot pay for any of the services and supplies needed to perform surgery and would be forced out of business. The loss of all ASCs in a state would blow a huge hole in the state’s outpatient surgical capacity, resulting in longer wait times for necessary procedures and higher costs for patients and insurers, as hospitals and hospital outpatient departments would essentially become the only site of service for outpatient surgical care.

More work needs to be done to educate lawmakers about facility fees and the role that surgery centers play in healthcare.

Protecting ASCs from restrictions on facility fees is one of ASCA’s top priorities. You can make a difference, too, by hosting your lawmaker at your facility during National ASC Month or any other time of the year, and by attending ASCA’s National Advocacy Day. During that event, ASCA schedules a full day of congressional meetings on Capitol Hill for each participant and provides a training briefing for all attendees to explain crucial ASC priorities and how to conduct a successful congressional meeting. Write mkunkel@ascassociation.org with any questions or for more information on how to get involved.

ORTODAY.COM

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

WEBINAR SERIES

webinar

Webinar Details Hidden Compliance Risks in the OR-SPD Workflow R Today recently hosted its

O highest-attended webinar of

the year with “Hidden Compliance Risks in the OR-SPD Workflow and How to Fix Them,” presented in partnership with Surgical Solutions.

The educational webinar attracted 176 registered attendees and 72 participants – both record-setting totals for OR Today webinars in 2026. Interest in the topic was also reflected in the 489 clicks generated through the registration campaign, underscoring the growing industry focus on compliance, workflow efficiency and patient safety within perioperative and sterile processing environments.

The webinar featured Robin A. Evans, BSN, RN, RNFA, CRCST, CHL, clinical nurse specialist manager at Surgical Solutions, and Adam Smith, CRCST, CHL, clinical solutions specialist at Surgical Solutions. Together, the presenters explored hidden compliance risks that often exist between operating room (OR) and sterile processing department (SPD) workflows and shared practical strategies healthcare facilities can use to improve consistency, readiness and accreditation performance.

The webinar focused on several key objectives, including: • Describing key changes under Accreditation 360 • Identifying common areas of variability in OR/SPD workflows • Explaining how workflow inconsistencies impact survey performance ORTODAY.COM

• Applying practical methods to assess readiness • Implementing strategies to improve OR/SPD alignment and standardization The webinar also provided continuing education opportunities for attendees.

Participants were eligible to receive 1 CE credit through OR Today, which is approved and licensed as a Continuing Education Provider by the California Board of Registered Nurses, License #16623. The webinar was also eligible for 1.0 CBSPD credit under Ref: 1973BMWCOR26.

Throughout the session, presenters discussed evolving accreditation expectations, operational gaps and best practices designed to strengthen patient safety initiatives and regulatory readiness across surgical services departments.

Attendees rated the webinar 4 out of 5, with many participants praising both the educational value and relevance of the discussion to today’s perioperative environments.

“I thought it was an excellent webinar with great information, and I couldn’t find flaws to improve the webinar. Thank you,” said Rose M. Messina, charge sterile processing technician at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

Renee Allen-Mackey, coordinator at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, appreciated the audience engagement opportunities during the presentation.

“I liked the door prize (the trivia question at the beginning). I would like them to be more interactive,” AllenMackey said.

Pablo Alberto Olivas Borunda, internal audit specialist at Vitalmex Administración, highlighted the broader educational impact of the webinar.

“I would like to sincerely thank you for the time and effort invested in today’s webinar,” Borunda said. “These types of educational forums are truly valuable and enriching for those who work in the OR environment. Sharing experiences, operational insights, and updates regarding new accreditation approaches and best practices helps strengthen both professional development and patient safety awareness across teams.”

Borunda added that the webinar was “highly valuable for better understanding the evolving practices and new pronouncements within the OR and surgical services environment.”

As part of the event, Beth Leonhardt, infection preventionist at OrthoIndy Northwest Hospital in Indiana, was selected as the winner of the OR Today lunch/cooler bag giveaway.

OR Today also recognized sponsor Surgical Solutions for supporting the educational program. Based in Overland Park, Kansas, Surgical Solutions is a leader in on-site surgical support services specializing in non-clinical surgical services, staffing and sterile processing solutions for surgery centers nationwide.

Healthcare professionals who missed the live webinar can access the presentation online at ORTodayWebinars.live.

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

21

CORPORATE PROFILE

Healthmark

Healthmark, a Getinge Company s surgical volumes and case

A complexity continue to

grow, expectations for infection prevention continue to rise.

Sterile processing departments (SPD) and operating rooms (OR) are under constant pressure to improve efficiency, maintain compliance, reduce risk and support uninterrupted clinical performance.

At the same time, surgical workflows are becoming increasingly interconnected. Instrument readiness, processing quality, equipment reliability, staff confidence and compliance execution all directly impact OR performance and patient care.

Yet, instrument processing challenges rarely stem from a single product or isolated issue. More often, they emerge through disconnected systems, inconsistent data and gaps between capital equipment, consumables, workflow practices and cross-departmental coordination.

Healthmark and Getinge have come together to address those gaps through a more connected approach 22

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

to infection prevention: combining workflow expertise, consumables, equipment, education and service support into a more unified system.

In today’s healthcare environment, predictability across the entire workflow matters more than ever.

Built on Complementary Strengths For decades, Healthmark has built trusted relationships with SPD and perioperative teams by focusing on the realities of day-to-day workflow execution. These teams rely on Healthmark not only for products, but for practical guidance in navigating standards, improving repeatability, troubleshooting challenges and supporting operational performance.

That role has positioned Healthmark as more than a supplier.

Healthmark has become a workflowfocused partner helping SPD and OR teams translate evolving requirements into repeatable daily practice.

Getinge brings complementary capabilities at global scale, including: • Capital equipment and

infrastructure • Sterile processing, surgical design and workflow consultation solutions • Service and life cycle support • Digital health, data and connectivity solutions Together, Healthmark + Getinge create a fully integrated infection prevention ecosystem, combining workflow expertise, consumables, equipment, education and service into a connected support model across the full perioperative continuum.

Supporting the OR by Strengthening the Entire Workflow OR performance depends on far more than what happens inside the operating room. Every surgical procedure relies on the readiness and reliability of the sterile processing workflow supporting it behind the scenes.

When breakdowns occur in sterile processing, the impact extends across the perioperative environment, affecting patient care, OR efficiency and financial performance: • Delayed or unavailable instrumenta-

ORTODAY.COM

tion that can lead to case delays or cancellations • Rework and workflow disruption that increases pressure on OR and SPD teams • Instrument damage or compromised device integrity that may impact usability, longevity and patient safety • Lost OR time, reduced throughput, and revenue impact These challenges rarely originate from one isolated failure. More often, they occur at the intersections between systems, vendors, departments and processes. As healthcare systems continue to face staffing pressures and increasing procedural demand, improving coordination across perioperative teams and processes becomes even more critical.

more sophisticated and operationally demanding.

Healthmark has long supported customers through this complexity by helping bridge the gap between standards and execution. Through practical education, workflow guidance and hands-on support, healthcare teams gain greater confidence in how standards apply to daily operations.

Combined with Getinge’s broader systems expertise and life cycle support capabilities, this creates a more connected framework for operational consistency across both SPD and OR environments.

Education, in this context, becomes more than training – it becomes an essential part of workflow performance.

Closing the Gaps Between Systems

Healthmark + Getinge support healthcare organizations through interconnected solution areas designed to strengthen infection prevention performance across the perioperative continuum.

Healthmark + Getinge help healthcare organizations reduce fragmentation across infection prevention activities by bringing together equipment, consumables, service, education and workflow support across SPD and OR environments.

This connected model helps healthcare organizations: • Improve workflow consistency across departments and shifts • Resolve issues faster through more coordinated support • Strengthen communication between SPD and OR teams • Improve surgical readiness and operational reliability It also creates a more streamlined customer experience. Instead of navigating multiple disconnected providers, healthcare teams gain access to a more unified partner with visibility across the broader workflow.

Turning Standards into Operational Confidence One of the greatest challenges facing healthcare organizations today is not simply how to understand evolving standards – it is knowing how to implement them consistently in real clinical environments.

From water quality and steam requirements to cleaning monitoring and documentation expectations, infection prevention efforts continue to grow ORTODAY.COM

Connected Solutions Across the Entire Workflow

Instrument Processing Support Supporting cleaning, inspection, assembly, and preparation with tools, education, and practical guidance that help improve consistency and instrument readiness.

Cleaning Chemistry & Compatibility Aligning cleaning chemistries, equipment and instrumentation to support consistent cleaning outcomes and reduce uncertainty in daily workflows.

Inspection, Testing & Quality Assurance Providing inspection and monitoring solutions that help healthcare teams identify risks and support compliance objectives.

Capital Equipment, Service & Life Cycle Support Through Getinge’s portfolio, supporting sterile processing and surgical infrastructure with equipment, service and long-term life cycle support that improves reliability.

Education and Clinical Enablement Delivering practical education that helps SPD and OR teams apply evolving

CORPORATE PROFILE

Healthmark

Our Integrated Infection Prevention Portfolio • Decontamination Ultrasonics, Decontamination Sinks, Automation Solutions, Washer-Disinfectors, PPE, Brushes, Cleaning Chemistries, Cleaning Monitoring

• Inspection & Assembly Prep & Pack Tables, Sterile Barriers, Inspection Systems, Instrument Integrity Testing

• Sterilization Sterilizers, Instrument Trays, Sterility Monitoring, Indicators

• Storage & Transport Case Carts, Storage Solutions, Labeling and Signage

• OR Readiness Tracking & Sterile Supply Asset Management

CORPORATE PROFILE

Healthmark

What Healthcare Teams Rely On Us For • Reliable instrument cleaning and inspection tools • Sterilization assurance and monitoring products • Workflow consumables used daily in SPD and OR environments

standards more consistently in realworld healthcare environments.

What This Means for Healthcare Organizations By bringing together expertise across equipment, consumables, education, service and sterile processing operations, Healthmark + Getinge help healthcare organizations move toward a more coordinated infection prevention strategy.

This enables teams to: • Improve consistency across perioperative workflows • Strengthen coordination between SPD and OR teams • Resolve issues faster through connected support and expertise • Support surgical readiness, compliance, and operational continuity Most importantly, it helps healthcare organizations build greater confidence that every part of the workflow is working together as intended.

Looking Ahead As healthcare systems continue to evolve, infection prevention will require more than standalone products or isolated expertise. It will require stronger coordination 24

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

between systems, departments, and partners who understand how sterile processing performance impacts both SPD and OR outcomes.

• Capital equipment and service support through Getinge

We’ve Got You Covered.

• Education and hands-on workflow guidance from Healthmark

Healthmark + Getinge are focused on building those connections – between products, processes, people, and performance, so healthcare teams can operate with greater consistency, efficiency and confidence across the entire perioperative workflow.

Because infection prevention is not a series of independent tasks.

It is a connected system that supports surgical readiness, operational reliability, and patient safety every day.

We’ve Got You Covered.

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Healthmark & Getinge believe by combining our strengths, we are positioned to better serve healthcare facilities moving forward into the future. We’re committed to providing innovative solutions, personalized implementation and best-in-class educational resources more than ever before. Together, we are striving to give you an unparalleled customer experience.

Scan to explore the benefits of our partnership. Discover how we’re redefining the customer experience to empower your facility.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

news & notes

Periop Nurses Conference Returns in 2026 Perioperative nurses and surgical professionals from across the Southeast are invited to gather for one of the region’s premier educational and networking events as the 2026 Southeast Councils of periOperative Nurses Conference comes to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Nov. 13-15, 2026.

Hosted at the Hilton Beachfront Resort and Spa, the conference will bring together nursing leaders, educators, clinicians and industry experts for three days of continuing education, leadership development, exhibits and professional connection centered around the 2026 theme, “The Power of Legacy and Advocacy: Advancing Excellence, Inspiring the Future.”

Conference organizers also announced the addition of the Louisiana Council of Registered periOperative Nurses to the growing coalition of state councils proudly supporting the event. The Louisiana council joins the Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee councils in strengthening regional collaboration and advancing perioperative excellence throughout the Southeast.

“This conference celebrates the extraordinary impact perioperative nurses make every day – as patient advocates, innovators, mentors and leaders,” organizers said. “The addition of Louisiana’s council reflects the growing momentum behind this regional partnership and our shared commitment to education, advocacy and excellence in surgical care.”

Education The Southeast Councils of periOperative Registered Nurses has been approved for 6 Contact Hours by HSPA and CBSPD and up to 9 CEUs by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing.

Attendees will have access to CEUs through a robust educational lineup featuring nationally recognized speakers and timely topics shaping the future of perioperative nursing. Sessions will explore leadership, workforce culture, artificial intelligence in healthcare, ethics, patient safety and professional advocacy.

Featured keynote and education presenters include leaders

26

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

from AORN, the American Nurses Association, Kaiser Permanente, Emory Healthcare, WellStar Health System and other nationally respected healthcare organizations.

In addition to CE-accredited education, attendees can explore exhibits featuring leading vendors and technologies, participate in networking receptions and celebrate nursing excellence during the DAISY Foundation Awards presentation.

Early bird registration is available for $99 through Aug. 31, 2026. Standard registration is $125 after Aug. 31, with onsite registration available for $150. Registration includes admission to educational sessions, exhibits and conference events, as well as access to on-demand online education following the conference.

Scholarships The Southeast Councils of periOperative Nurses Conference is offering two scholarships for the 2026 conference to support perioperative professionals dedicated to advancing surgical safety, education and excellence.

The scholarship opportunity is open to perioperative nurses, surgical technologists, educators and leaders committed to improving patient safety, quality outcomes and perioperative practice. Selected recipients will receive complimentary conference registration and two nights at the conference hotel.

Organizers encourage attendees to register early, as hotel accommodations and conference capacity are expected to fill quickly. The conference room block at the Hilton Beachfront Resort and Spa is available at a group rate of $242 per night through Oct. 22, 2026, or until sold out.

The conference begins Friday evening with a welcome reception and continues through Sunday afternoon with keynote presentations, education sessions and state council meetings.

For registration, scholarship application, hotel information and the latest conference schedule, visit southeastperiop.com

ORTODAY.COM

Professor Receives Wound Healing Society Award Dr. Fateme Fayyazbakhsh, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, was awarded the Wound Healing Society’s 2026 Early-Career Faculty Award during the organization’s annual meeting held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The award recognizes early-career faculty advancing research in wound healing and supports their continued professional growth. Fayyazbakhsh was unanimously selected by the society’s executive committee as one of two recipients for 2026.

“Effectively treating and healing wounds is vital for human

health, recovery and overall well-being, which is why I’m passionate about this work,” Fayyazbakhsh says. “Receiving this recognition from the Wound Healing Society shows me that my research is moving in the right direction, and it is a true honor.”

As one of this year’s award recipients, she will present her research during the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care this fall in Las Vegas.

Fayyazbakhsh’s research focuses on smart biomaterials, bioprinting, transdermal drug delivery systems and AIpowered diagnostics for wound care, and bioastronautics, or how conditions in space affect human health and healing.

Sepsis-Flagging Device Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance Bayesian Health recently announced that its sepsis flagging device has received FDA 510(k) clearance – the first continuous AI sepsis monitor ever to do so. Early sepsis detection is a core module within Bayesian’s real-time clinical intelligence platform, which continuously monitors every patient, surfaces those who need attention, and gives clinicians the tools to set the right actions in motion.

The clearance, which builds on Bayesian’s prior FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, signals a shift in what health systems can expect from clinical AI: a validated, real-time layer of clinical intelligence clinicians trust and use at the bedside.

EHRs remain the backbone of clinical documentation but weren’t designed to continuously interpret patient data in real time. Bayesian builds on their foundation – adding always-on clinical reasoning that surfaces insights inside the workflows clinicians already use and helps them act with confidence.

Real-time clinical intelligence requires a fundamentally different architecture: one that continuously reasons over evolving patient state across all data types, rather than triggering on episodic rules.

It’s this architecture that underpins Bayesian’s platform, providing

ORTODAY.COM

health systems with a single solution for early deterioration across multiple conditions like sepsis, respiratory failure and cardiac events.

“Sepsis has been the focus of my work for more than a decade – a direction set, in part, by losing someone I loved to it. The work behind this clearance spans more than a decade: the deep research, the peer-reviewed validation and the deployments that proved it works at the bedside. FDA clearance is a critical milestone, and it’s also the consequence of years spent validating that this fits into clinician workflows and helps them get ahead of deterioration instead of reacting to it. That’s the bar clinical AI should be held to,” said Suchi Saria, Ph.D., CEO and founder of Bayesian Health.

FDA 510(k) clearance also positions Bayesian Health favorably to receive approval under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ New Technology Add-on Payment (NTAP) program starting in October 2026. The final decision on NTAP approval will be issued early August. If approved as expected, this would give hospitals deploying the cleared sepsis flagging device access to potentially incremental payment for cases in which this solution is used, supporting the clinical and financial case for proactive sepsis monitoring.

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

27

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

news & notes

Analysis: ASCs Save Medicare Billions of Dollars The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) recently shared an analysis conducted by KNG Health Consulting that shows ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) have saved Medicare billions of dollars. Between 2019 and 2024, procedures performed in ASCs compared to hospitals saved Medicare $27.9 billion.

“This analysis confirms that surgery centers are a vital and costeffective site of service for Medicare beneficiaries,” said ASCA Chief Executive Officer Bill Prentice. “The magnitude of savings generated

by ASCs should be an essential data point for policymakers and regulators when considering policies related to outpatient surgery.”

The analysis of Medicare claims shows that ASCs saved the Medicare program $4.46 billion in 2019. Despite a slight decline in savings due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, savings rebounded and rose steadily to $5.10 billion in 2024.

Overall, performance of procedures in ASCs saved Medicare approximately $43.2 billion in the 10-year period of 2015-2024.

Methodology For each year from 2019 to 2024, KNG Health analyzed Medicare’s Standard Analytic Files (SAF) to determine an average payment amount at the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code level in both the ASC and hospital outpatient department (HOPD) settings. The KNG Health analysts also used the 2019-2024 SAFs to identify ASC volume for each year at the HCPCS code level. ASC savings per procedure is defined as the difference between the HOPD average payment minus the ASC average payment. ASC savings per year was estimated by multiplying the ASC volume per procedure by the ASC savings per procedure.

Estimates were calculated for Medicare Fee-for-Service only.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/57bn23a8.

White Paper Addresses Managing Simultaneous Sterile Processing Failures City of Hope healthcare leaders have released a white paper examining how hospitals can maintain surgical operations during simultaneous sterile processing department (SPD) failures caused by water quality issues, infrastructure damage and planned maintenance.

Authored by Cera Salamone, director of perioperative services, and Michael Ahmad, system director of biomedical engineering, the paper details a real-world incident in which multiple SPD disruptions occurred at once, creating significant operational and patient safety challenges.

The white paper “Managing Concurrent Sterile Processing Department Failures Due to Water Quality Issues, Planned Maintenance, and Infrastructure Flooding,” explores how a healthcare system responded when its primary SPD was disabled by flooding, a secondary SPD experienced water contamination issues and a third facility was offline for refurbishment.

“This event underscores how vulnerable sterile processing operations can be when multiple failures occur simultaneously,” Ahmad said. “Our goal in publishing this paper is to help other health systems strengthen preparedness and ensure continuity of care under extreme conditions.”

The incident forced immediate removal of surgical instruments, increased pressure on perioperative teams and required activation of an executive command structure to prevent surgical delays. Despite these challenges, coordinated

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OR TODAY | Summer 2026

leadership, external partnerships and contingency sterilization plans helped maintain surgical services.

Key findings from the white paper include: • Infrastructure vulnerabilities: Multiple SPDs alone do not guarantee redundancy without coordinated systemwide contingency planning.

• Water quality risks: Inadequate monitoring can lead to contamination that renders instruments unsafe for use.

• Operational strain: Simultaneous failures significantly increase labor demands, costs and risk of surgical disruption.

The authors also outline actionable recommendations for healthcare systems, including implementing real-time water quality monitoring, strengthening redundancy planning, improving crisis training and formalizing external support agreements.

Salamone emphasized the importance of preparedness across departments: “Strong communication, proactive planning and cross-functional coordination are essential to maintaining patient safety when unexpected disruptions occur.”

The white paper concludes that with enhanced monitoring systems, robust contingency planning and coordinated response strategies, hospitals can significantly reduce risk and maintain uninterrupted sterile processing capacity during emergencies.

Access the white paper online at tinyurl.com/44ez3ktx

ORTODAY.COM

Registration Opens for Northeast Perioperative Professionals Conference Registration is open for Periop ConneCT 2026, a regional conference designed for perioperative nurses, surgical technologists and sterile processing professionals throughout Connecticut and the Northeast. The conference will take place Oct. 16-17 at the Conference Center at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut.

Hosted by the AORN Connecticut Chapter 0701, the the event will feature CE-accredited education, networking opportunities, vendor exhibits and leadership development sessions focused on advancing perioperative practice.

Organizers say the conference is intended to provide attendees with the latest clinical knowledge while also fostering collaboration among perioperative teams.

Conference programming will include sessions on perioperative innovation, minimally invasive surgery, pain management strategies, workplace violence prevention, implicit bias awareness and career development. Educational presentations and keynote sessions are scheduled throughout the two-day event, alongside exhibit hall receptions and networking opportunities with industry vendors and peers.

According to the conference website, the event’s goals include advancing clinical excellence, promoting leadership development and strengthening professional connections among perioperative professionals across the Northeast.

Registration includes meals, exhibit hall access and continuing education opportunities. Organizers are also offering a limited number of scholarships for complimentary admission to attendees experiencing financial hardship. Students are eligible for discounted registration pricing.

The conference builds on the momentum of last year’s successful gathering in New Haven, Connecticut, where attendees praised the event’s educational value and collaborative atmosphere. More than 100 attendees and over 30 vendors participated in the 2025 conference.

“We had a great time presenting at the Periop ConneCT Conference. The audience had great questions, and everyone was enthusiastic with the exercises.

We would come back any time,” said Alex Papanastassiou, DPT Clinic Director, Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy.

“I really enjoyed being part of the conference. It was nice to connect, learn and share with so many passionate perioperative professionals,” said Karrie Kernen, MS-HPE, BSN, RN, CNOR, with Baptist Health.

Additional conference highlights include poster presentations, exhibitor showcases and networking receptions intended to encourage idea sharing and collaboration among perioperative professionals. Organizers noted that the conference continues to grow as a regional hub for continuing education and professional engagement within the perioperative community.

For more information or to register, visit periopconnect.com.

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Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

29

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

news & notes

Supply Tech’s Overhaul Saves Thousands, Improves Patient Care A civilian supply technician has transformed the supply chain of the Perioperative Nursing Services (PONS) at Bassett Army Community Hospital, saving more than $10,000 in emergency order costs so far, this fiscal year, and directly improving the quality of patient care.

Linda Andersen, a supply technician at Bassett ACH since 2024, was presented with the Good Steward Award for her work establishing standards of efficiency and fiscal responsibility directly enhancing operational readiness.

According to Cynthia Oliver, clinical nurse officer in charge of surgical services, for years, the PONS supply tech responsibilities were divided among several soldiers who, detailed with numerous other duties, struggled to manage the complex inventory. Oliver felt PONS required intervention to establish supply chain stability, accurate inventory management and cost-effective ordering practices to support surgical operations and patient care. Andersen’s hiring and expertise made that possible.

“There are a lot of line items and a lot of nitty-gritty details to keep track of in this position,” said Oliver. “Linda met the challenge and set new baselines for all our supply items.”

Upon her arrival, Andersen conducted a complete overhaul by re-baselining the entire 2,000-plus line-item inventory, allowing her to familiarize herself with the surgical packs and better understand the needs of the hospital.

“Each pack is set up for a different surgery,” said Andersen.

“Everything the team needs to do the surgery is in a pack and I need to make sure that it is available for the team but also that it isn’t expired.”

Rather than focusing on surgical trends to order, Andersen uses her knowledge garnered from past supply management positions, to look at supply with a holistic approach, and according to Andersen, that goes well beyond just knowing how many of an item to order.

“I’ve done everything from ordering to warehouse and transportation, so I know what to look for,” said Andersen.

“I’m always looking at weather reports in the lower 48 and news about shortages in supplies because I need to know if

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OR TODAY | Summer 2026

something will prevent the items from making it to us. I try to keep these things in mind, so we aren’t affected by something out of our control happening.”

Andersen’s attention to detail has not only ensured items are available when needed, but she’s saved money by repurposing supplies for training purposes and looking for different supply options.

“When items expire, we don’t throw them out right away,” said Andersen. “Instead, we mark them as expired, put them in a different location and use them for training new surgical techs which saves us money. Additionally, say we have an item, and we need five of them each year, but it can only be ordered as bulk in a case of 50. Rather than spending $4,000 on 50 of them, I look for other options and comparable items that allow us to purchase just five and spend less.”

It was this commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficiency that earned Andersen the Good Steward Award presented to her in April by Col. Ben Donham, Medical Department Activity-Alaska commander.

“The operating room is an incredibly complex place in terms of staff, supplies and timing,” said Donham. “It’s one of those things where if those supplies aren’t there, it shuts down the operating room and potentially delays a case, delaying patient care. Your attention to detail allows us to take care of people safely and efficiently in the highly complex surgical environment.”

While fiscal responsibility earned her the award, it is her overall outlook and commitment that has changed the future of surgical offerings at Bassett ACH and the overall experience of patients.

“The newfound budget stability brought on by Ms. Andersen, enabled PONS to afford additional inventory items for orthopedics and general surgery, directly expanding our surgical capabilities,” said Oliver.”

“Linda’s work in the background, while not something the staff or patients see, has positively impacted our PONS staff and every single person that’s received surgical care here at the hospital,” said Oliver. “We are thankful she has joined our team.”

ORTODAY.COM

Clinical Warming, Simplified: Passive Support Across the Perioperative Journey Maintaining patient normothermia is a critical part of perioperative care, yet warming strategies do not always need to be complex to be effective. In busy OR environments, clinicians need practical solutions that support existing protocols, fit naturally into the workflow and help reduce heat loss without adding unnecessary setup, equipment or power requirements.

That is where passive warming can play a meaningful clinical role.

Thermoflect warming products are designed to reflect the patient’s own body heat back toward the body, helping support temperature maintenance before, during and after procedures.

Rather than replacing powered active warming systems, passive warming can work alongside them as a supplemental layer of protection or provide warming support in situations where powered systems are not available, practical or preferred.

This flexibility is especially useful across the perioperative journey, where patient warming needs can shift from pre-op to transport, procedure and recovery. At each stage, passive warming products can help preserve body heat without requiring machines, hoses, outlets or additional equipment setup. For clinical teams, that simplicity matters.

Thermoflect passive warming caps offer one easy point of adoption. In many facilities, moving from a traditional bouffantstyle head covering to a passive warming cap can be a practical, incremental change that supports temperature preservation without disrupting existing workflows. The cap is familiar in form, quick to place and easy to incorporate into routine patient prep or transport.

But passive warming does not stop at the head. Thermoflect passive warming gowns, blankets and leggings provide additional options for supporting normothermia across different areas of the body by preventing exposure based on clinical need. A passive warming Thermoflect gown can help provide coverage in pre-op or recovery settings while preserving access for care. A passive warming Thermoflect blanket can offer flexible use during transport, holding, intra-operative and post-procedure recovery.

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Thermoflect passive warming leggings can help support warmth in the lower extremities when typical positioning or procedural access leaves portions of the body otherwise uncovered.

Together, these Thermoflect products allow teams to build passive warming into the moments where patients may be most vulnerable to heat loss including waiting, movement between departments, procedural prep and recovery. They can be used independently or layered into existing warming protocols as part of a broader temperature management approach.

The economic ease of implementation is also important.

Hospitals are under constant pressure to improve outcomes while managing supply costs, staff time, standardization and contract compliance. Passive warming Thermoflect products can offer a low-barrier way to strengthen warming practices without introducing new capital equipment or major process changes.

For many GPO-affiliated hospitals, adoption may begin with a familiar product category, such as headwear, gowns, blankets or patient covering solutions already used in the perioperative environment. This makes passive warming less of a disruptive change and more of a practical clinical enhancement.

In the OR, every small step that supports patient safety and comfort counts. Passive warming is not about adding complexity.

It is about giving clinicians simple, effective tools that help preserve body heat, support normothermia efforts and fit within the realities of modern perioperative care.

With Thermoflect warming caps, gowns, blankets and leggings clinical teams are offered a flexible passive warming support that can be used alongside powered active warming systems or in settings where power is not available. The result is a practical, clinician-friendly approach to helping maintain warmth when and where patients need it most.

To explore the science behind Thermoflect and access product information, visit tinyurl.com/465etstk

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

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2026

REGISTRATION IS OPEN! E A R LY - B I R D R E G I S T R A T I O N O N LY $ 9 9 U N T I L 8 / 31

N OV E M B E R 13 - 15 , 2 0 2 6 H I LT O N B E AC H F RO N T R E S O R T A N D S PA H I LT O N

H E A D

I S L A N D ,

S C

2026 CONFERENCE THEME

The Power of Legacy and Advocacy: Advancing Excellence, Inspiring the Future Our legacy and advocacy is at the heart of perioperative nursing. Nurses find a calling to speak, act, and lead in ways that protect patients, support colleagues, and strengthen our profession.

Our voices matter — in the policies that shape our practice, in the education that shapes the next generation, and in the compassion that shapes every patient’s journey.

In 2026 as we come together under the banner of The Power of Legacy and Advocacy, we honor those who lead with purpose and passion — and we commit to advancing excellence and inspiring the future of surgical care.

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TO REGISTER

APPROVED FOR UP TO 9 CEUs BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING 32

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

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E D U C AT I O N

EARN UP TO 9 CEUs!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

11 AM-12 PM

8:30-9:30 AM

Balancing Technology with Human Judgment: AI & Safety

Welcome Address: The Power of Legacy and Advocacy: Advancing Excellence, Inspiring the Future David Reinhart, DNP, MBA, RN, CNOR, FAAN, Director of Education EHC Perioperative Services, Emory Healthcare, President AORN and Stuart Downs DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CPHQ, FACHE, FAONL, FAAN, SVP and Systems Chief Nurse Executive, President-Elect AONL Our legacy and advocacy is at the heart of perioperative nursing. Nurses find a calling to speak, act, and lead in ways that protect patients, support colleagues, and strengthen our profession. Our legacy celebrates the courage and commitment of nurses who transform challenges into opportunities for progress.

From ensuring safe surgical environments to mentoring the next generation of leaders, perioperative nurses continue to raise the standard of excellence through every action of advocacy. These two power presenters will honor those who lead with purpose and passion and show how to continue advancing excellence and inspiring the future of surgical care.

9:45-10:45 AM Opening Keynote: Quantum Caring Leadership in the OR: Visionary Leader to System Architect Jim D’Alfonso, DNP, RN, PhD(h), NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, Executive Director for Professional Excellence: Kaiser Permanente Visionary perioperative leaders are no longer defined by what they manage, but by what they design. Quantum Caring Leadership (QCL) offers a discipline-specific nursing leadership framework integrating Caring Science, quantum leadership, and complexity science to guide how leaders shape culture, teams, and system design. In perioperative environments where precision, trust, resilience, and human dignity must coexist, traditional leadership models grounded primarily in hierarchy, efficiency, and control are increasingly insufficient for modern surgical ecosystems.

Jason Lesandrini, PhD, FACHE, HEC-C, LPEC, Assistant Vice President Ethics, Advance Care Planning and Spiritual Health, WellStar Health System As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in perioperative practice, nurses face a challenge that is both practical and ethical: knowing when to trust the technology and when to trust themselves.

This session explores the intersection of AI, patient safety, and human judgment — examining how clinicians can maintain moral agency and ethical accountability in environments where algorithmic tools increasingly influence clinical decisions.

Through discussion and interactive exercises, participants will examine real-world tensions between data-driven systems and the irreplaceable role of human judgment in keeping patients safe.

2-3 PM Afternoon Keynote: Beyond the Mask: Professional Citizen Rebecca M. Patton, DNP, RN, CNOR, FAAN Professor Endowed Perioperative Nursing Chair, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University The nursing profession has long enjoyed positive recognition for safe, high-quality, compassionate care across various healthcare settings, selfless contributions to society, and, according to Gallup, being the most trusted profession. Both historical and social mandates position nurses and our profession to generate positive social change during a time when it is needed. This session will identify strategic actions and exemplars of professional citizenship by nurses that have made a difference beyond the mask.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 10-11 AM

Perioperative professionals are uniquely positioned to reshape the culture to better support the health, engagement, and retention of OR employees.

This session explores how together we can reshape the culture to foster psychological safety, strengthen teamwork, and promote healthier work environments. The audience will examine common cultural barriers in surgical environments— including hierarchical communication, workload pressures, and normalization of stress—and identify practical strategies to create more supportive and resilient perioperative teams. Through leadershipdriven approaches, attendees will learn how to assess the health of their OR culture and implement sustainable changes that benefit all team members, and patient outcomes.

11:30 AM-12:30 PM Closing Keynote: Professionalism, True North and Finding the Human Connection Joshua A. Wymer, DNP, RN, FHIMSS, FACHE, FAAN, Chief Health Information and Data Strategy Officer, Health Data Consortium Professionalism, ethics and moral direction (described as True North) along with themes of change, innovation, caring and humanistic elements of practice will be explored during this presentation.

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Approved for up to 9 CEUs by

OR Today is a Continuing Education Provider with the State of California Board of Registered Nursing; License No. CEP 16623.

Approved for 6 CEs by

The Southeast Councils of periOperative Registered Nurses conference has been approved for 6 CEs by HSPA. Approval code: OR Today 260605

The Healthy OR Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, FADLN, FAONL, FAAN Senior Vice President of Equity and Engagement, American Nurses Association

Approved for 6 contact hours by The Southeast Councils of periOperative Registered Nurses has been approved for 6 Contact Hours by CBSPD.

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

33

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

SE Periop

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15

4:30-6 PM

7 AM

Registration opens

7 AM

Registration Opens

7-8 AM

Continental Breakfast

8-10 AM

Exhibit Hall Brunch

8 AM-2:30 PM Exhibitor Set-up

10-11 AM

Education

8 AM

11:15-11:30 AM Daisy Foundation Awards Presentation

Welcome Reception

Opening Remarks

8:30-9:30 AM Welcoming Address 9:45-10:45 AM Morning Keynote 11 AM–12 PM

Education

12-1:30 PM

Lunch & Learn

11:30 AM 12:30 PM

Closing Keynote

12:30 PM

Closing Remarks

1-2 PM

State Council/Chapter Meetings

sponsored by

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southeastperiop.com/schedule.

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2-3 PM

Afternoon Keynote

3-6 PM

Exhibit Hall Reception

DON’T MISS THESE

EXHIBITORS AlphaVets, Inc................................................... 22 Avadim Health Inc............................................21 BD..........................................................................46 C Change Surgical...........................................45 ConMed Corporation...................................... 32 Emory Healthcare............................................ 35 Incision USA Corporation..............................42 Irrimax.................................................................. 37 Medical University of South Carolina.............17 Milestone Medical Technologies, Inc..............31 Nanosonics.........................................................36 Northeast Georgia Health System.............29 ONE TRAY...........................................................34 Opmed.ai.............................................................47 PDI.........................................................................30 Piedmont Healthcare.......................................19 RepScrubs........................................................... 33 SteriCUBE............................................................16 STERIS..................................................................20 STERIS................................................................. 44 SurgiSmoke Solutions....................................28 TIDI Products......................................................18 34

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

T H A N K YO U TO O U R

SPONSORS!

ORTODAY.COM

IN THE OR

market analysis

CS & Sterile Processing on the Rise Staff report he global sterilization

T equipment market size was

estimated at $7.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $15.0 billion by 2030, according to Grand Market Research.

The report suggests growth at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2025 to 2030. The growing healthcare needs, driven by an aging population and rising chronic diseases, are increasing the demand for advanced sterilization equipment.

With hospitals and healthcare facilities expanding, ensuring the safety of medical tools and environments has become paramount. Moreover, the heightened awareness of healthcareassociated infections (HAIs) has further emphasized the necessity for effective sterilization methods. This awareness drives healthcare providers to adopt stringent sterilization protocols to minimize infection risks, fueling the growth of the sterilization equipment market as it becomes an essential component of modern healthcare infrastructure.

Grand Market Research adds that, “The expansion of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries is driving the increasing adoption of disposable medical devices, as these sectors require efficient, safe, and cost-effective solutions. Disposable devices reduce the risk of cross-contamination, improve patient safety, and streamline production processes. As demand for these devices rises, sterilization equipment becomes more crucial to ensure their sterility and compliance with regulations. This growing trend is expected to significantly boost the sterilization equipment industry, with companies investing in advanced sterilization technologies to meet the surging healthcare demands.”

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The North America sterilization equipment market secured the largest market share of 36% in 2024, according to the report. The large market share was attributed to the adoption of disposable medical devices and the expansion of healthcare infrastructure.

Disposable medical devices, commonly used in surgeries and diagnostic procedures, require effective sterilization to prevent infections. As healthcare systems expand and modernize, particularly with the rising number of outpatient facilities and hospitals, the demand for sterilization equipment increases to maintain high safety standards. These trends are fueling the market growth, with healthcare facilities prioritizing advanced sterilization methods to meet stringent regulations and improve patient care.

Research firms and industry publications indicate that the CS and sterile processing market is expected to remain highly active as healthcare organizations continue prioritizing patient safety, surgical efficiency and regulatory compliance. Technology adoption, workflow modernization and workforce development are likely to remain key investment areas over the next several years.

Industry experts believe the role of sterile processing will continue to expand as healthcare systems increasingly recognize its direct impact on OR performance and clinical outcomes. Departments that embrace automation, data-driven decisionmaking and ongoing staff education will be better positioned to manage growing procedural demands and evolving compliance expectations.

While workforce shortages and budget constraints remain ongoing challenges, the market outlook for CS and sterile processing remains strong. As healthcare facilities

seek greater operational resilience and improved surgical coordination, sterile processing departments are expected to play an even more critical role in the future of perioperative care.

Data Bridge Market Research echoes many of Grand View Research’s findings.

The global sterilization equipment market size was valued at $17.48 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $32.84 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 8.20% during the forecast period, according to a Data Bridge Market Research report.

This growth is driven by factors such as the rising demand for infection control in healthcare settings, increasing surgical procedures, and growing awareness about sterilization in pharmaceutical and food industries, the report adds.

Sterilization equipment is essential in maintaining aseptic conditions in healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food processing by eliminating all forms of microbial life from instruments and surfaces. The demand for sterilization equipment is significantly driven by the rise in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), the growing number of surgical procedures, and increased awareness regarding infection control.

North America is expected to dominate the sterilization equipment market with a market share of 36.5%, due to advanced healthcare infrastructure, stringent infection control regulations, and widespread adoption of technologically advanced sterilization solutions, according to a Data Bridge Market Research report.

Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest- growing in the sterilization equipment market with a market share of 20.3%, during the forecast period, according to a Data Bridge Market Research report.

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

35

OUT OF THE OR product focus

Innovative Sterilization Technologies ONE TRAY Sterilization Container

The ONE TRAY sterilization container from Innovative Sterilization Technologies (IST) has received a second clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), significantly expanding its use across hospital and surgical facility workflows. ONE TRAY’s original clearance in 2006 (IFU K052567) included sterilization at 270°F (132°C), exposure time 4 minutes, cycle dry time not required and validated to maintain

the sterility of the contents for up to a 48-hour storage period. ONE TRAY’s additional clearance in 2025 (IFU K250029) maintains the same validated sterilization parameters - 270°F (132°C), exposure time 4 minutes, but with a 365-day event related shelf life/storage period with a 15-minute minimum dry time.

When introduced in 2006, ONE TRAY represented a new approach to sealed sterilization container technology. Now, according to Barbara Ann Harmer MHA, BSN, RN, vice president of clinical services at IST, the expanded storage window provides facilities with even more operational flexibility.

Surgical Solutions SPD & OR Solutions

Surgical Solutions is dedicated to making surgeries safer and more efficient through its comprehensive support services. Surgical Solutions ensures every detail is handled with precision, from the initial setup to the final sterilization.

The company’s vision is to improve the lives of all those it serves. Surgical Solutions delivers customized solutions that create a high quality, efficient work environment for healthcare teams, providing clients with unparalleled patient care, enhanced outcomes and operational excellence.

Surgical Solutions specializes in overcoming unique challenges. Each hospital is unlike any other, and the company’s solutions are tailored to fit specific needs from start to finish. Surgical Solutions streamlines operations to ensure each hospital achieves the highest levels of quality and efficiency. Surgical Solutions outcomes are customized for success:

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OR TODAY | Summer 2026

• Improved OR turnover time • Procedure volume growth • Fixed and repaired instruments and scopes • Improved equipment turnaround time • Optimized schedules and workflows • Reduced OR case delays and downtime • Increased patient outcomes and satisfaction • Better work-life balance for surgical staff

ORTODAY.COM

IN THE OR

MicroCare Medical

product focus

Spec Clean

The MicroCare Medical Spec Clean Endoscope Cleaning Sponge and Spec Clean Quad Enzymatic Instrument Detergent are intended to support a standardized cleaning process beginning at the point of use and continuing through reprocessing. The Spec Clean Endoscope Cleaning Sponge is designed for immediate post-procedure use, when organic soils are most readily removed.

It facilitates the removal of visible debris and bioburden from external surfaces while remaining compatible with delicate device materials. Early intervention at this stage helps prevent drying and adhesion of contaminants. The Spec Clean Quad Enzymatic Instrument Detergent is used during the immersion phase of cleaning. It is formulated to degrade multiple classes of organic material, including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, on both external surfaces and within internal channels. This is critical for areas that are not directly visible but require thorough decontamination. Used in combination, these products support a controlled and consistent cleaning workflow from point of use through reprocessing, with the goal of reducing variability and facilitating effective subsequent disinfection and sterilization.

HEALTHMARK

McGan Insulation Tester Electrosurgical instruments play a critical role in today’s operating room, but even small defects in instrument insulation can create risks that are difficult to detect with the naked eye. The McGan Insulation Tester from Healthmark, a Getinge company, is designed to help healthcare facilities identify insulation defects such as pinholes, cracks, and bare spots on laparoscopic and bipolar electrosurgical instruments before they return to clinical use.

This handheld, portable unit uses low-frequency highvoltage testing to evaluate the integrity of protective coatings applied over conductive instrument surfaces.

By helping detect flaws that may contribute to unintended tissue burns during procedures, the Insulation Tester supports facilities in their efforts to maintain instrument quality and patient safety.

Designed with usability in mind, the rechargeable system features LED indicators, audible and visual alarms, and interchangeable accessories including

ORTODAY.COM

ring, brush, and tri-hole electrodes to accommodate a variety of instrument types and testing needs. Optional accessories are also available for bipolar instruments and wire testing applications.

Compact, versatile, and workflow-friendly, the McGan Insulation Tester provides perioperative and sterile processing teams with an additional layer of inspection support for electrosurgical instrumentation management.

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

37

COVER STORY

WORKPLACE SAFETY

IN THE OR: ADDRESSING VIOLENCE, STRESS & BURNOUT

By Don Sadler

iolence in the workplace

V has become an all-too-

common occurrence in our nation. Unfortunately, the healthcare setting, including the operating room, is not immune to workplace violence.

Healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience violence in the workplace than employees in other industries and account for 73% of all nonfatal workplace injuries caused by violence, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Meanwhile, eight out of 10 nurses reported experiencing workplace violence in 2023 while nearly half said that violence is on the rise. And one in four nurses responding to an ANA survey report being physically assaulted.

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OR TODAY | Summer 2026

“Workplace violence is pervasive and increasing across healthcare, with hospital workers facing much higher rates of physical assault, threats and verbal abuse than workers in other industries,” says ECRI Lead Safety Consultant Chris Barfield, MHIT, RN, CPPS. “This is particularly true in parts of healthcare with high-stress conditions, close teamwork and power hierarchies, such as operating rooms.”

ASCA board member David Shapiro, MD agrees: “Workplace violence in the form of bullying occurs far too frequently among surgical staff. This has been known to happen in all perioperative areas including pre-op, post-op, sterile supply and in the OR itself.

“Because perioperative profes-

sionals almost always work as part of a team, the presence of even a single individual exhibiting this type of behavior can filter down to affect the entire team,” says Shapiro.

A Common OR Problem Erin Kyle, DNP, RN, CNOR, NEABC, EBP-C, Editor-in-Chief, Guidelines for Perioperative Practice with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), believes that bullying, incivility and violence in the perioperative setting are more common than many people realize.

“And it’s certainly more common than most organizations would like to acknowledge,” says Kyle. “What makes this difficult is that these behaviors often exist on a spectrum. Some are overt and unmistakable while others ORTODAY.COM

are subtle, normalized or dismissed as ‘just part of the OR culture.’ ” “When these behaviors go unaddressed, they become embedded in the work environment and a threat to safety at every level,” says Kyle, who distinguishes between internal (staff) and external (patients and visitors) threats of OR violence.

“Internal threats are not an inevitable feature of perioperative work, highstress environments or surgical urgency.

They are fully preventable,” says Kyle.

“But when organizations fail to set clear expectations, intervene early and apply accountability consistently, these behaviors persist. And over time, they teach staff to self-silence.”

Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Education Director Natalie Lind says her eyes were opened to the prevalence of violence and bullying in the OR when she gave a presentation on the topic a few years ago.

“Like many people, I knew workplace bullying and violence existed, but I didn’t realize the prevalence until I gave a presentation on bullying,” she says. “The program hit a nerve.”

Afterward, several attendees shared their personal experiences with Lind.

“Some were in tears and the stories they shared were eye opening,” she says.

Bullying and violence are now Lind’s most requested presentation topic.

OAM Surgery Center at MidTowne.

“If staff do not feel respected or supported, they may avoid raising questions or correcting practices, even when patient safety could be at risk,” she says.

According to Barfield, the most common forms of bullying or violence within perioperative teams are intimidation, blame and exclusion.

“Known as Type III, or worker-toworker violence, these create unsafe and uncomfortable working conditions,” he says.

Meanwhile, common forms of external violence initiated by patients and visitors may include verbal or physical aggression, threats, disrespectful behavior and even assault.

In an analysis of healthcare workplace violence-related events submitted

by ECRI members between January 2021 and September 2022, 33% of incidents involved physical violence, 23% involved verbal violence and 31% involved both physical and verbal violence. While most of these were external violence, over 20% resulted in direct harm to the healthcare provider.

“This is unacceptable, regardless of the offender,” says Barfield. “When a healthcare worker experiences violence of any kind, it can affect their mental health by creating anxiety, fear and emotional exhaustion.”

Forms of Bullying and Violence

While physical harm and injury are obvious risks of bullying and violence in the OR, the damage is often more mental and emotional.

“The perioperative environment is already stressful enough without adding more negativity, which makes everything more difficult,” says Lind. “The added stress from bullying and violence can lead to burnout.”

“When perioperative professionals work in environments where they feel disrespected, unsafe or unsupported, the stress is constant,” says Kyle. “Over time, this can lead to emotional exhaustion, moral distress and burnout. Many nurses will tell you that what wears them down is not the complexity of the work, but the emotional labor of navigating unsafe interpersonal dynamics while trying to

Bullying and violence in the OR can take many different forms other than physical attacks. These include intimidating colleagues, abusive and offensive language, insults, unreasonable criticism, and spreading rumors and gossip.

Kayla Gough, RN, BSN, a charge nurse at OAM Surgery Center at MidTowne in Grand Rapids, Michigan, lists belittling comments and assumptions about a knowledge deficit as forms of bullying. “Additionally, teasing or sarcastic banter within the team can sometimes be taken personally or interpreted more negatively than intended,” she says.

Staff who feel bullied or undervalued may become hesitant to speak up about important safety concerns, adds Brittany Vondra, RN, BSN, a charge nurse at ORTODAY.COM

Mental & Emotional Stress

“Over time, this can lead to emotional exhaustion, moral distress and burnout.

Many nurses will tell you that what wears them down is not the complexity of the work, but the emotional labor of navigating unsafe interpersonal dynamics while trying to keep patients safe.”

- E r i n Ky l e

COVER STORY

CHRIS BARFIELD

KAYLA GOUGH

keep patients safe.”

Beyond staff well-being, OR violence must be addressed to ensure positive patient safety outcomes.

Says Barfield: “Violence disrupts communication, concentration and necessary collaborative teamwork, weakening the culture of safety that is the foundation of clinical quality.”

Barfield urges healthcare organizations to develop and rely on comprehensive violence prevention frameworks that include the following: • Multidisciplinary workplace violence prevention teams to plan and oversee initiatives.

• Staff training on violence deescalation, early warning signs and reporting procedures.

• Behavioral Rapid Response Teams (BRRTs) to manage escalating situations.

• Environmental and administrative controls such as access limits, surveillance and clear behavioral expectations.

• Data analysis of reports to identify trends and evaluate interventions.

Lind says that addressing bullying requires modification of behaviors and a change in culture. “Change is difficult, but the more people understand how their words and behaviors can be hurtful and stressful, the better the transition will be,” she says.

Preventable Safety Issues Kyle calls OR bullying and violence preventable safety issues. “Prevention has to be intentional, systemic and 40

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

GRACE PATTON

“Too often, we assume staff knows their behavior is bullying, but they may not. So, start by defining bullying and workplace violence and then begin to educate staff about prevention.”

- Natalie Lind sustained,” she says. “It’s not a onetime training or poster on the wall.”

She recommends the following steps to help prevent bullying and violence in the OR: 1. Set clear expectations and enforce them consistently. Healthcare organizations need clear codes of conduct, well-defined unacceptable behaviors and consistent accountability, regardless of the team member’s role or status.

“When behavior standards are applied unevenly, the culture learns that safety is negotiable,” says Kyle.

2. Build and protect a just culture. A just culture supports reporting and learning, distinguishes human error from reckless behavior and keeps the focus on systems while still addressing harmful conduct.

3. Equip teams with skills and shared tools. Simulation can be especially powerful for preparing

KENNY KELLEY

teams to respond to higher-risk situations, whether these involve internal conflict or patient-related aggression.

4. Strengthen preoperative screening and planning, especially in ambulatory care. Kyle believes this is a major opportunity area. “Validated violence tendency or agitation risk screening tools are underused in the preoperative visit,” she says.

Examples include asking about prior episodes of severe agitation in recovery, identifying significant anxiety or PTSD risk and noting substance use or withdrawal risk.

5. Address anesthesia-related triggers with compassion and preparedness.

These include emergence delirium and emergence agitation, transient conditions that can lead to confusion and thrashing. “These behaviors are not intentional and do not reflect a patient’s character,” says Kyle.

Preventing bullying and violence in the OR starts during the hiring process.

“We clearly communicate our expectation of a positive and respectful culture, setting the tone for new team members from the start,” says Grace Patton, RN, MBA, BSN, CNOR, the OR manager at OAM Surgery Center at MidTowne.

However, you can never fully know how a new hire will fit in with the rest of the team. “So, it’s important not to rush the hiring process, especially when you already have a strong team,” says Patton. “Trust your instincts and listen to team feedback if a candidate doesn’t seem like the right fit.”

ORTODAY.COM

New Wearable Technology Helps Combat OR Violence

DAVID SHAPIRO

BRITTANY VONDRA

Barriers to Implementation Unfortunately, there may be obstacles and barriers to implementing violence prevention steps. These may include resource limitations (especially in rural or smaller organizations), cultural acceptance of violence as “part of the job” and underreporting due to fear of reprisal or skepticism that reports lead to action.

“To overcome these barriers, executive-level support with consistent escalation protocols is paramount,” says Barfield.

“When resources are low, explore community collaboration with law enforcement or behavioral health partners, lower-cost education and peer support models.”

Kyle lists a few more potential obstacles: hierarchy and fear of retaliation, inconsistent enforcement, financial and productivity pressures, and acceptance of bullying and incivility as being ‘just how it is in the OR.’ “Normalization of these behaviors is one of the most persistent barriers to violence prevention,” she says.

“These obstacles are real and they are often rooted less in lack of awareness than in competing pressures and longstanding norms,” Kyle adds. “Addressing them requires clarity, consistency and intentional use of time and resources.”

Lind says that bullying behaviors are sometimes unintentional. “Bullying may have been prevalent at a former job, or something that staff saw and accepted in their younger years,” she says. “Too often, we assume staff knows their behavior is bullying, but they may not. So, start by defining bullying and workplace violence and then begin to educate staff about prevention.”

Kyle stresses the importance of strong leadership when it comes to violence prevention in the perioperative setting.

“Leadership matters – not in an abstract sense, but in practical, everyday ways,” she says.

“The tone leaders set, the behaviors they tolerate and the actions they take after concerns are raised all shape whether perioperative teams feel safe enough to speak up and supported enough to stay,” says Kyle.

“Even the best perioperative team can be impacted by bullying and the threat of violence,” says Lind. “It isn’t some other facility’s problem. Therefore, be proactive in addressing current issues and establishing a plan to prevent incidents from happening.”

ORTODAY.COM

When violence escalates in the operating room, it can do so quickly and without warning or visibility to the broader healthcare team. So even if safety protocols and security teams are in place, they’re not always immediately accessible to perioperative team members.

“These systems are only effective if they can be activated in the moment they’re needed,” says Kenny Kelley, the founder and CEO of Silent Beacon, a workplace safety company that provides real-time emergency communication solutions. “In many real-world scenarios, they can’t.”

Silent Beacon is a wearable panic button worn by perioperative personnel that triggers an immediate alert notifying 911 and internal security if violence occurs in the OR. It shares real-time location data so responders know exactly where to go.

“The key difference is that the ability to call for help is no longer tied to the operating room, the equipment or someone else recognizing the situation,” says Kelley. “A wearable panic button removes this delay – and in these moments, this determines whether a crisis stays controlled or escalates.”

Silent Beacon shortens the window between when an event happens and a response begins. “This window is where incidents escalate, injuries worsen and liability exposure grows,” says Kelley. “Closing the window changes outcomes.”

There’s also an operational benefit. Kelley explains: “Staff who work in high-acuity, unpredictable environments and know they have a reliable way to call for help work differently.

This confidence has a measurable effect on staff retention, which is a real cost pressure for most OR and ASC administrators right now.”

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

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SPOTLIGHT ON:

Trenton Harms renton Harms never dreamed that

T his high school job as a lifeguard

would ultimately lead him down a career path toward perioperative nursing. His lifeguard experience motivated Trenton to become an emergency medical technician (EMT) after high school with the goal of becoming a firefighter.

“As an EMT, I was exposed to some of the different medical careers and decided that nursing was a better fit for me,” Trenton says. “I wanted a career where my interactions with people were more than emergent and where I could talk to patients and be there for them when they are at their most vulnerable.”

Once he earned a BSN degree from West Coast University, Trenton says he “got lucky” when a surgery center hired him as a circulating nurse, even though they didn’t usually hire recent nursing school graduates.

“They (MemorialCare Surgery Center in Laguna Woods, Calif.) had never hired a new grad before,” Trenton says, “but they taught me everything about the OR because you don’t learn much about this in nursing school. They trained me up and I’m very grateful for that.”

After working at MemorialCare Surgery Center for two years, Trenton wanted to be a part of inpatient care and work on more complex cases. He went to work at UCI HealthOrange as a clinical nurse II in 2018, working primarily in cardiac surgery. Although cardiac is his primary service, Trenton often transitions between cases, including neurology and trauma.

He adapts quickly to diverse team needs while maintaining a commitment to patient safety and high-quality care.

A couple of years ago, Trenton volunteered 42

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

ORTODAY.COM

for a project to improve OR workflow and efficiency.

“The success of any surgery is often dependent on how readily available equipment and supplies can be at any given moment,” Trenton explains.

“Especially small, minutiae kinds of things you don’t open for every case. Delays are often caused by OR nurses trying to get the things they need in the middle of surgery.”

Trenton put his strong organizational skills to work to help make sure the equipment and supplies needed would be easily accessible and those that aren’t often needed were put aside. “This is the kind of thing I really enjoy doing,” he says.

As one of the leads on the cardiac team, Trenton was also involved in developing a new curriculum for training cardiac nurses and scrub techs.

As a member of the Millennial generation, Trenton stays on top of the latest surgical technologies. “The medical field is evolving quickly with all the new technology and surgery is evolving even faster,” he says. “We’re now doing surgeries that have never been done before and this will continue to accelerate with robotics and minimally invasive surgeries.”

Trenton believes perioperative nurses should play an active role in how new technologies are integrated into the OR. ORTODAY.COM

“I wanted a career where my interactions with people were more than emergent and where I could talk to patients and be there for them when they are at their most vulnerable.”

“We’re trying to integrate a bunch of new products at the same time and still make sure they are being used correctly and are safe for the patient,” he says. “I think OR nurses should provide feedback to manufacturers about what works well and what doesn’t necessarily fit into the workflow of the OR.” One thing that has surprised

Trenton about his job as a perioperative nurse is that it’s more of a procedural job than a clinical job.

“This can be kind of a culture shock for new OR nurses because in nursing school, we are taught clinical skills,” he says. “In the OR, it’s more about coordinating procedures, which isn’t something that’s really taught in nursing school. New OR nurses need to be prepared for this.”

Outside of work, Trenton is a husband and father to an 18-monthold baby boy named Bennett, which puts his time management and worklife balance skills to the test. His wife, Kate, is a registered dietitian.

“It can be challenging, for sure, both emotionally and physically,” he says. “The key for my wife and me is having a good support system at home so we can focus on our jobs while we’re at work. This gives me more appreciation for the time I get to spend with my son.”

Trenton is appreciative of the fact that, for the most part, he can leave work behind when he clocks out and be fully present at home with his wife and son. “My dad and my brother both run their own businesses so they can’t really do this,” he says.

Trenton and his family spend as much time outdoors as possible, enjoying hiking, camping and bike riding. He is also an avid video game and board game player – yes, oldschool board games where he and his friends actually get together physically, not online.

“There are virtual boardgames, but I prefer playing with my friends in person,” he says.

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

43

OUT OF THE OR health

Sleep Disruption Damages Gut’s Self-Repair Ability hronic sleep disruption C doesn’t just leave people

tired and irritable. It may quietly undermine the gut’s ability to repair itself, increasing vulnerability to serious digestive diseases.

A new study from the University of California, Irvine, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China Agricultural University reveals, step by step, how disturbed sleep causes the brain to send harmful signals to the intestines, ultimately damaging the stem cells responsible for maintaining a healthy gut lining.

The research uncovers a previously unknown biological chain reaction linking the brain’s sleep center to in44

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

testinal health. The findings appear in “Cell Stem Cell” and offer new insight into why people with chronic sleep problems are more likely to develop gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, diabetesrelated gut complications and chronic inflammation.

Physicians have long known that irregular or insufficient sleep is associated with a wide range of health problems, from mood disorders to high blood pressure. Yet how changes in sleep can directly harm organs that do not sleep themselves, such as the intestines, has remained largely elusive.

This study answers that question by tracing the damage from its neurological origins all the way to the gut’s regenerative machinery.

The research team, including investigators from China and Maksim Plikus, professor of developmental and cell biology at UC Irvine, identified a precise communication relay between the brain and the gut. When sleep is chronically disrupted, abnormal neuronal activity arises in a brain region that normally regulates sleep.

Those faulty signals then travel down the vagus nerve, a major conduit linking the brain to internal organs.

Once the faulty signals reach the gut, they do not act alone. Instead, the vagus nerve releases molecular messengers that trigger a cascade of molecular responses across several gut cell types. Eventually, sleep deprivation messages reach intestinal stem cells – which are essential for the ORTODAY.COM

constant renewal of the gut lining.

Under healthy conditions, intestinal stem cells are remarkably resilient, repairing everyday wear and tear caused by digestion and microbes. But the study shows that in the setting of chronic sleep disruption, these stem cells experience unusually high levels of oxidative stress, a damaging condition that interferes with very basic cell functions. As a result, their ability to regenerate the gut lining drops sharply.

“When sleep signals go awry, the gut essentially pays the price,” said cocorresponding author Plikus. “We were surprised to see how precisely the brain communicates sleep defects to intestinal stem cells. This helps explain why chronic sleep disruption can make the gut more fragile and prone

to disease.”

As the gut lining weakens, it becomes far more susceptible to injury and inflammation. Over time, this vulnerability may predispose individuals to chronic gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, a painful and often debilitating condition affecting millions of people worldwide.

The study involved close international collaboration with cocorresponding author Zhengquan Yu of China Agricultural University in Beijing, whose expertise was critical to mapping the complex cellular and molecular steps involved. Together, the team combined neuroscience, stem cell biology and gut physiology to assemble a detailed picture of how sleep loss harms intestinal health.

Beyond revealing a new biological mechanism, the findings also point toward potential solutions.

The researchers identified several specific molecules in the brain-togut communication relay that could, in principle, be targeted with drugs.

Such candidate treatments might help protect intestinal stem cells and restore the gut’s self-repair ability in people who suffer from chronic sleep deprivation due to shift work, insomnia or other conditions.

“Our work opens the door to new strategies for managing intestinal disorders in patients who cannot easily fix their sleep patterns,” Yu said. “If we can interrupt the harmful signals traveling from the brain to the gut, we may be able to reduce disease risk.”

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Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

45

OUT OF THE OR fitness

Preventive PT Matters for Fitness

By Miguel J. Ortiz or many people, physical F therapy (PT) is something

you only consider after an injury.

But that mindset overlooks one of PT’s biggest benefits: helping the body move better before pain or injury develops. The word “therapy” often suggests something is already wrong, yet physical therapy and corrective exercise can play a major role in improving overall fitness performance and long-term movement quality.

When integrated into a workout routine, PT-based exercises can help address muscular imbalances, improve mobility and support healthier movement patterns. While exercise alone cannot prevent every injury or physical setback, it can help improve biomechanics and body awareness, making movement more efficient and sustainable over time.

Below are three key reasons to incorporate physical therapy principles and corrective exercises into your fitness program.

Focus on Mobility Before Strength Before starting any training program, it’s important to understand what your body is being asked to do. Mobility and stretching should be part of the foundation, especially during the first few days of a new workout routine.

Preparing the body with corrective exercises can help improve movement quality before adding heavier resistance or 46

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

more demanding workouts. For example: • Before a shoulder workout, try external rotation exercises or YTA raises.

• For hip mobility, incorporate light resistance band work and dynamic hip exercises.

• For ankle stability, foam rolling and balance drills can help strengthen the ankle complex.

By improving range of motion and focusing on proper form, it becomes easier to identify muscular imbalances and movement limitations. Addressing these issues early can help the body move more efficiently and reduce unnecessary strain during exercise.

Better Movement Patterns Improve Control and Coordination Corrective exercises often require slower, more controlled movement – and that’s exactly why they work.

Moving with intention helps develop neuromuscular control and coordination, reinforcing healthier movement patterns that carry over into future workouts and everyday activities. These exercises can also expose weak or underactive muscles that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Take shoulder cable external rotations as an example. The goal is not to rush through high repetitions with momentum. Instead, slow and controlled movements help activate the correct muscles and improve joint stability.

Developing proper neuromuscular function prepares the body to better handle heavier loads and higher training demands over time.

Use Recovery Days for Corrective Work If your training schedule is already packed, recovery days are an ideal opportunity to include corrective exercise and mobility work.

Light recovery sessions – including yoga, stretching, mobility drills or low-intensity corrective exercises – can support long-term movement quality and overall performance. Recovery should not be viewed as inactivity, but rather as part of the training process itself.

High-demand fitness programs place stress on the body, so recovery and movement restoration are essential for maintaining healthy joints, muscles and movement patterns.

Incorporating PT-based exercises into recovery days can help improve flexibility, support joint health and prepare the body for future workouts.

Physical therapy is not only about rehabilitation after injury. When used proactively, corrective exercise and mobility training can help improve biomechanics, support performance and encourage safer, more efficient movement throughout every stage of fitness.

Miguel J. Ortiz is a personal trainer in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a Master Trainer for Pain-Free Performance and a Certified Nutritional Consultant.

You can find videos of the exercises mentioned in this column at tinyurl. com/ORTfitness.

ORTODAY.COM

OUT OF THE OR EQ Factor

The Neuroscience of Confirmation Bias

By Daniel Bobinski aniel Kahneman, the Nobel D Prize-winning psychologist

behind “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” describes two systems the brain uses to process the world.

System 1 is fast, automatic and emotional. It reacts before you’ve had a chance to think. System 2 is slower, deliberate and rational.

It’s the part of you that stops to reason things through.

The tension between these two systems sits at the heart of one of the most powerful forces shaping your daily life: confirmation bias. Do you believe people are lazy?

Then you’ll subconsciously look for – and see – that behavior. Do you believe people are selfish? You will look for – and see – instances of that, too. People tend to see what they believe.

This phenomenon is called confirmation bias, and it is best understood from an emotional intelligence perspective.

How confirmation bias forms When we’re one or two years old, we have no control over the events around us, so we merely observe events and experience whatever emotions emerge. Let’s say we encounter a snarling, barking dog. If a parent nearby displays immense fear about our safety, we receive an emotional imprint of ORTODAY.COM

fear. Until we reach an age at which we can cognitively reason otherwise, whenever we see a snarling, barking dog, we’ll experience fear.

Once we form a view about something, confirmation bias kicks in quite easily. To quote Shahram Heshmat, writing in “Psychology Today”: “Once we have formed a view, we embrace information that confirms that view while ignoring, or rejecting, information that casts doubt on it … We pick out those bits of data that make us feel good because they confirm our prejudices.”

Brain chemistry plays a big role in this.

When we see something that confirms a belief, the brain’s “reward center” sends signals that make us feel good. But when we see something that conflicts with our beliefs, it’s like our brain flashes a huge neon sign that reads, “Warning! Conflict!

No neuropathways exist for this information! Avoid! Avoid!”

Confirmation biases continue to form even in our adult years. Let’s say you have a creepy, unfair, scruffy-haired boss who always wears a particular brand of shirt, which is always untucked. For several years you endure his obnoxiousness, but every interaction makes you like him less.

Eventually this guy retires, but two months later, another scruffy-haired person joins the team who wears that exact same

brand of shirt and always untucked. It’s practically guaranteed your first impression of this guy will not be good, even though you don’t know him!

This is exactly the gap Kahneman writes about – the moments where System 1 has already decided, and System 2 never gets called in. Your emotional history fires first. Logic arrives late, if at all. So the next time you form an instant opinion about a person or situation, it’s worth pausing to ask: is this me thinking, or is this an old imprint doing the thinking for me? The awareness itself is a solid step toward seeing the world a little more clearly.

Daniel Bobinski, who has a doctorate in theology, is a bestselling author and a popular speaker at conferences and retreats. For more than 30 years he’s been working with teams and individuals (1:1 coaching) to help them achieve excellence. He was also teaching Emotional Intelligence since before it was a thing. Reach him by email at DanielBobinski@ protonmail.com or 208-649-6400.

Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

47

OUT OF THE OR nutrition

Navigating Organic Foods and Smarter Eating Habits onsumers today face more food choices than C ever before. Grocery store aisles are lined

with labels promising “organic,” “natural,” “lowfat” and “heart healthy,” while restaurants and takeout options continue to multiply. For busy healthcare professionals and families alike, the challenge is no longer finding food – it is finding healthier food choices that fit into daily life.

Nutrition experts say the answer often begins with a simple strategy: focus less on perfection and more on consistency.

Organic foods have become increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Library, organic production refers to agricultural methods that avoid most synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetic engineering, antibiotics and growth hormones. Organic farming also emphasizes soil quality and environmental sustainability.¹ Many consumers associate organic foods with better nutrition, but experts caution that “organic” does not automatically mean healthier. Organic cookies, chips or sugary beverages can still contain high amounts of calories, sodium or added sugar. Nutrition professionals recommend evaluating the overall nutritional profile of foods rather than relying solely on labels.

One of the simplest ways to improve nutrition is by eating more meals at home. Research published in Nutrition Reviews found an association between frequent eating 48

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

outside the home and increased body weight.² Restaurant meals and fast-food options are often higher in calories, sodium, saturated fat and portion sizes than home-cooked meals.

Meal planning can help families avoid unhealthy lastminute food decisions. Creating a weekly menu, preparing grocery lists ahead of time and stocking healthy staples can reduce dependence on convenience foods. Even assigning simple themes – such as taco night or pasta night – can make meal preparation easier and more sustainable.

Nutrition specialists also recommend spending more time shopping the perimeter of the grocery store. Fresh produce, dairy, lean proteins, eggs, seafood and whole grains are typically found along the outer aisles, while highly processed foods dominate many center aisles.

Fresh fruits and vegetables remain foundational to healthy eating. Buying produce in season can lower costs while improving flavor and quality. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables can also be nutritious options because they are often packaged shortly after harvest. When purchasing canned goods, consumers should look for “no salt added” or fruit packed in water instead of syrup.

Reading nutrition labels remains one of the most effective tools for making informed food choices. Comparing products can reveal large differences in sodium, saturated fat, added sugars and fiber content. Experts advise consumers to pay particular attention to serving sizes, which are often smaller than expected.

ORTODAY.COM

Reducing added sugar is another major nutrition goal. Sugary drinks, flavored coffees, energy beverages and processed snacks contribute excess calories without significant nutritional value. Water, unsweetened tea and naturally flavored sparkling waters are healthier alternatives.

Fat quality matters as much as fat quantity. Nutrition professionals recommend limiting trans fats and saturated fats commonly found in packaged baked goods, fried foods and processed snacks. Healthier cooking oils include olive, canola, peanut, corn and safflower oils.

Cooking methods also play a role in nutrition. Baking, grilling, roasting, steaming and air frying generally reduce excess fat compared with deep frying. Small substitutions – such as low-fat dairy products, leaner cuts of meat or plantbased proteins – can significantly improve the nutritional quality of meals without sacrificing flavor.

Healthy snacking habits can support better nutrition throughout the day. Keeping cut vegetables, fruit, yogurt, nuts or air-popped popcorn readily available encourages healthier choices when hunger strikes. Portion control also matters. Dividing large snack packages into individual servings can help prevent overeating.

Mindful eating is another growing focus among nutrition experts. Eating meals without distractions such as television or smartphones may help individuals better recognize hunger and fullness cues. Smaller plates and slower eating habits

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can also support healthier portion control.

Ultimately, healthy eating does not require extreme diets or expensive ingredients. Experts emphasize that sustainable nutrition habits are built gradually through practical, everyday choices. Choosing more whole foods, preparing meals at home more often, and becoming more aware of ingredients and portion sizes can collectively lead to longterm health benefits.

As consumers continue navigating competing food trends and nutrition claims, balance remains key. Organic foods may offer environmental and agricultural benefits, but the healthiest eating patterns are still rooted in moderation, variety and consistent healthy habits.

References Gold, M.V. (2016). Organic Production/Organic Food: Information Access Tools. National Agricultural Library, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bezerra, I.N., Curioni, C., Sichieri, R. (2012). “Association between eating out of home and body weight.” Nutrition Reviews, 70(2), 65–79.

“Making healthier eating choices.” National Institutes of Health.

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49

OUT OF THE OR recipe

Berry Bagel French Toast Casserole CASSEROLE BASE:

Recipe

• 5 Dave’s Killer Bread Summer Berry Bagels

the

• 1 cup strawberries, sliced, divided • 3/4 cup blueberries, divided • 1/2 cup raspberries, divided • 8 large eggs • 1 1/2 cups milk • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 2 tablespoons maple syrup • 2 tablespoons brown sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 teaspoon cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon salt

CRUMBLE TOPPING: • 1/4 cup flour • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon • 1 pinch salt • 4 tablespoons melted butter

SERVING: • powdered sugar • maple syrup • berries (optional)

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OR TODAY | Summer 2026

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OUT OF THE OR recipe

Power Summer Adventures with Bagel Brunch Spread njoying meals al fresco this summer starts with one simple trick: Head

E outside before the sun reaches its peak to beat the heat. A summer

brunch offers a special way to fuel up before all the adventures and activities a bright, sunny day may bring.

For a hearty solution that’s sure to get you in gear for a day at the park or in the water, this Berry Bagel French Toast Casserole is loaded with favorites like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and a homemade crumble topping that’s a true crowd-pleaser.

This new brunch favorite is powered by limited-edition Dave’s Killer Bread Summer Berry Bagels, which deliver sweet, summery organic goodness with raspberry, blueberry, cranberry and strawberry. Every bite can delight the taste buds, and with 10 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber in each serving, your body will thank you, too. Available nationwide through July, now’s the time to enjoy them before summer passes by.

To find more summer brunch inspiration, visit DavesKillerBread.com.

Berry Bagel French Toast Casserole Prep time: 55 minutes Servings: 6-8

1. To make casserole base: Preheat oven to 300 F. Cut bagels into 1-inch cubes. Spread on baking sheet and toast 10 minutes until slightly dry.

2. Lightly grease 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add toasted bagel cubes and half the berries.

3. Whisk eggs, milk, cream, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Pour evenly over bagels.

4. Press bread gently so it absorbs custard. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours, or overnight.

5. Heat oven to 350 F. 6. To make crumble topping: Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and melted butter. Sprinkle mixture over casserole. Add remaining berries.

7. Bake 40-45 minutes until center is set and top is light golden color.

If it browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil.

8. Let rest 5-10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup. Top with extra berries, if desired.

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Summer 2026 | OR TODAY

51

OUT OF THE OR

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53

INDEX

advertisers

ALPHABETICAL AIV Inc.………………………………………………………………… 11

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52

Ruhof Corporation……………………………………………… 2

ASCA……………………………………………………………………15

MicroCare Medical……………………………………………… 6

Soma Technology………………………………………………19

Encompass Group…………………………………………… 29

OR Today Webinar Series……………………………… 55

USOC Medical…………………………………………………… 56

Healthmark Industries Company, Inc.………… 22

Polar Products…………………………………………………… 9

Innovative Medical Products…………………………… 5

Prescott’s, Inc.……………………………………………………… 4

CATEGORICAL ANESTHESIA

MicroCare Medical……………………………………………… 6

REPROCESSING STATIONS

Prescott’s, Inc.……………………………………………………… 4

Ruhof Corporation……………………………………………… 2

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52

Soma Technology………………………………………………19

INFUSION PUMPS

Ruhof Corporation……………………………………………… 2

ASSOCIATION

Prescott’s, Inc.……………………………………………………… 4

RESPIRATORY

ASCA……………………………………………………………………15

INSTRUMENT STORAGE/TRANSPORT

Soma Technology………………………………………………19

C-ARM

Ruhof Corporation……………………………………………… 2

SAFETY

Soma Technology………………………………………………19

MICROSCOPES

Healthmark Industries Company, Inc.………… 22

CARTS/CABINETS

Prescott’s, Inc.……………………………………………………… 4

SINKS

Healthmark Industries Company, Inc.………… 22

MONITORS

Ruhof Corporation……………………………………………… 2

CS/SPD

Soma Technology………………………………………………19

STERILIZATION

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52

USOC Medical…………………………………………………… 56

Healthmark Industries Company, Inc.………… 22

MicroCare Medical……………………………………………… 6

ONLINE RESOURCE

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52

Ruhof Corporation……………………………………………… 2

OR Today Webinar Series……………………………… 55

MicroCare Medical……………………………………………… 6

DISINFECTION

OR TABLES/BOOMS/ACCESSORIES

STERILIZERS

Ruhof Corporation……………………………………………… 2

Innovative Medical Products…………………………… 5

Prescott’s, Inc.……………………………………………………… 4

ENDOSCOPY

Soma Technology………………………………………………19

SURGICAL

Healthmark Industries Company, Inc.………… 22

OTHER

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52

AIV Inc.………………………………………………………………… 11

Soma Technology………………………………………………19

PATIENT MONITORING

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT/ACCESSORIES

FALL PREVENTION

AIV Inc.………………………………………………………………… 11

Healthmark Industries Company, Inc.………… 22

Encompass Group…………………………………………… 29

Prescott’s, Inc.……………………………………………………… 4

TELEMETRY

FLUID MANAGEMENT

USOC Medical…………………………………………………… 56

AIV Inc.………………………………………………………………… 11

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52

PATIENT WARMING

USOC Medical…………………………………………………… 56

GENERAL

Encompass Group…………………………………………… 29

TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT

AIV Inc.………………………………………………………………… 11

POSITIONING PRODUCTS

Encompass Group…………………………………………… 29

INFECTION CONTROL

Innovative Medical Products…………………………… 5

Polar Products…………………………………………………… 9

Encompass Group…………………………………………… 29

REPAIR SERVICES

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Healthmark Industries Company, Inc.………… 22

Soma Technology………………………………………………19

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52

Ruhof Corporation……………………………………………… 2

MD Technologies Inc.……………………………………… 52 54

OR TODAY | Summer 2026

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