What is the primary focus of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses?

The primary focus of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) centers around the practice of perioperative nursing, which involves ensuring the safety and well-being of patients undergoing surgical procedures. AORN emphasizes best practices in the surgical environment, which includes maintaining proper sterilization and high-level disinfection standards. This ensures that the surgical field is as safe as possible and reduces the risk of infection, one of the most critical aspects of surgical care.

While patient education regarding anesthesia, advocacy for anesthesia professionals, and research in anesthesia technology are essential components of perioperative care and are addressed by various organizations, they do not encapsulate the primary focus of AORN as strongly as the authority on sterilization and high-level disinfection. The organization's core mission involves providing guidelines and education that directly impact surgical patient outcomes, making infection control and sterilization practices a crucial aspect of their work.