Accreditation: What Leaders Need to Know in 2026
Accreditation is one of the most important responsibilities of hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), helping ensure the highest levels of healthcare quality and patient safety. There are three main independent accrediting bodies: The Joint Commission, the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and QUAD A (formerly known as the AAAASF).
Spotlight On: Colleen Becker Ph.D., MSN, RN, CCRN
When Colleen Becker was offered the opportunity to work as the Director of Perioperative Education for the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) in 2021, this fulfilled a passion for surgical education that had grown throughout her four-decade nursing career.
Savvy Weeknight Family Meal
Because this time of year can be crazy busy, drive-thru meals can easily become the norm. While fast-food burgers may do the trick once in a while, they can get old quick if your family is eating them every other night. This quick and easy Baked Spaghetti can bring everybody back to the table and it won’t break the bank either.
Surgical Equipment Market Growth Continues
Grand View Research reports that the global surgical equipment market size was estimated at $18.37 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $31.58 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.54% from 2025 to 2030. Factors such as an increase in the incidence of lifestyle disorders that eventually require surgery, rising healthcare costs and large unmet surgical needs are mainly driving market growth.
NEWS
BoxSPINE Receives FDA Clearance for Rodless Spinal Fixation System
BoxSPINE LLC has announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the DUET Spinal Fixation System, a three-piece spinal stabilization system designed to eliminate the need for traditional rods. For decades, spinal fixation has relied on rod-and-pedicle...
bkActiv and Medtronic Stealth AXiS surgical navigation system integration announced
GE HealthCare has announced a digital integration between the GE HealthCare bkActiv intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) system and the Medtronic Stealth AXiS surgical navigation system, which is now commercially available to provide real-time advanced imaging during...
FDA Announces READI-Home Innovation Challenge
Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing a new Innovation Challenge titled, “READI-Home: Reducing Readmissions through Device Innovation for the Home.” The goal of this Innovation Challenge, which is part of the FDA’s Home as a Health Care Hub...
Baxter Introduces Automated Solution to Improve IV Labeling
Baxter International Inc. has debuted the IV Verify Line Labeling System, an automated solution, at the 2026 American Organization for Nursing Leadership Conference. The IV Verify system is designed to streamline nursing workflows, save clinician time and support...
FDA-Cleared At-Home Treatment Helps Men After Prostate Surgery
Elidah has announced FDA clearance of Elitone for Men, a non-invasive, at-home treatment designed to help men regain bladder control after prostate surgery, addressing a significant and often overlooked men's health condition. Urinary incontinence, or bladder leakage,...
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Two Challenging Infection Prevention Standards (And How to Get Ahead of Them)
Accreditation surveys exist to strengthen organizations, not to catch them off guard. When ACHC surveyors identify areas for improvement, those findings become a roadmap for elevating patient safety and operational excellence.
Guide to AORN Expo 2026: Conference Provides Evidence-Based Education & Hands-On Learning
The 2026 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo returns April 11-14 in New Orleans, bringing together perioperative nurses at every career stage for immersive education, professional connection and practice-shaping dialogue.
From Circulator to Coach, Building Leadership Through CCI Volunteerism
As National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) approaches, perioperative nurses nationwide are taking time to elevate their profession through service. For many, volunteering with the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) is more than giving back – it’s a strategic path to developing leadership skills that support career growth and strengthen patient care (Journal of Applied Psychology).
My, How Things Have Changed
I recently reviewed a number of articles on the evolution of Ambulatory Surgery including the recent thought-provoking article, “The ASC Surge”, in the Winter 2026 issue of OR Today.1 These articles prompted some reflection on the evolution of ambulatory surgery. When I began working in perioperative nursing in the mid-1980s our total joint cases, whether knees or hips, had a lengthy inpatient hospital stay. In comparison, total knee arthroplasties are now routinely scheduled as outpatient procedures for healthy patients and outpatient hip replacements are possible for some patients.
ASCQC Provides Valuable Tools to ASCs
The ASC Quality Collaboration (ASCQC) brings together leaders from across the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) community – such as associations like the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), accrediting organizations, management companies and state associations – to advance patient safety and quality of care in surgery centers.
SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight On: Colleen Becker Ph.D., MSN, RN, CCRN
When Colleen Becker was offered the opportunity to work as the Director of Perioperative Education for the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) in 2021, this fulfilled a passion for surgical education that had grown throughout her four-decade nursing career.
Spotlight on: Travis Tingle
Travis Tingle’s journey into perioperative nursing was inspired by his grandfather, who was a medic in World War II. “My grandfather was very influential in my upbringing,” Travis says. “I heard lots of stories growing up about his experience as a World War II medic so I knew I wanted a career in medicine.”
Spotlight On: Jamie Ridout, CNOR, NEA-BC, CASC
It’s funny how a chance encounter can alter the course of one’s life. After she graduated with her BSN from the West Virginia School of Nursing in 1993, Jamie Ridout was sitting with some fellow graduates at the Sigma Theta Tau induction ceremony. A woman she didn’t know asked Jamie if she could sit down next to her.
Spotlight On: Joanne Oliver-Coleman, MBA-HM, BSN, RN, CNOR-E
Joanne first became a registered nurse in 1962 after graduating from the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing. “There was a six-week tour through the operating room and that’s when I decided that perioperative nursing is what I really wanted to do,” she says.
Spotlight On: Pat Thornton
Next year, Pat Thornton will celebrate a milestone career achievement: Her 50th year in nursing. Pat’s career started in 1976 when she graduated from Clayton Junior College with her ASN and went to work as an RNFA private surgical nurse.
Spotlight On: Johnny Kotcher, CST, FA
It’s probably safe to say that very few if any perioperative professionals have had a career like Johnny Kotcher’s. Johnny’s perioperative journey started when he joined the Army in 1981 and scored well in healthcare and medical on the aptitude test.
Spotlight On: Michael Rempel
You might not have ever thought about the parallels between a perioperative team and a hockey team, but Michael Rempel sees similarities. Michael grew up playing hockey in Brooklyn, N.Y., and when he got his first exposure to the OR while in nursing school, he observed the similarities right away.
PRODUCT SHOWROOM
Surgical Equipment Market Growth Continues
Grand View Research reports that the global surgical equipment market size was estimated at $18.37 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $31.58 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.54% from 2025 to 2030. Factors such as an increase in the incidence of lifestyle disorders that eventually require surgery, rising healthcare costs and large unmet surgical needs are mainly driving market growth.
Aesculap SQ.line KERRISON Bone Punches
As an industry leader in sterile processing and operating room solutions, Aesculap continues to raise the bar with its next generation of bone punches, SQ.line KERRISON Bone Punches. Designed specifically to meet the demands of spinal and cranial neurosurgery, SQ.line KERRISON Bone Punches help to ensure the surgeon and staff are equipped with a dependable and comfortable instrument.
SurgiSmoke Solutions Flamingo Funnel
SurgiSmoke Solutions is pioneering the future of operating room air safety through its hands-free smoke and bioaerosol capture technology. The Flamingo Funnel family of devices outperforms traditional smoke evacuation pens – removing nearly twice as much smoke – while offering a hands-free, non-obstructive footprint optimized for modern surgical workflows.
KODA Ideaworks HypoHolder
HypoHolder is an innovative needle safety device designed to reduce needlestick injuries during hypodermic needle handling in the operating room. Developed by surgical clinicians with decades of firsthand OR experience, HypoHolder addresses the highest-risk moments of hypodermic needle handling, including uncapping, recapping and temporary stabilization during procedures.
Kapp Surgical Inc. Cosgrove® Mitral Valve Retractor System
The Cosgrove® Retractor is a unique heart retractor designed and proven specifically for heart valve surgery. It provides surgeons with the greatest visualization of the operative field, plus exceptional and consistent exposure of the right and left atrium, tricuspid valve and mitral valve, for surgical repair or replacement, while reducing the need for surgical assistance.
Olympus Visera Elite III Platform
The VISERA ELITE III Imaging Platform is a compact, multispecialty imaging platform designed for laparoscopic diagnosis, treatment and video observation. Co-developed by SONY Olympus Medical Joint Venture, the Visera Elite III Platform integrates advanced imaging technologies into a software-driven platform that supports minimally invasive surgery in a wide range of specialties, including arthroscopy, colorectal, ENT, bariatric, thoracic, gynecological, urological, HPB transplant and general surgery.
ROSA ROSA Knee with OptimiZe
ROSA Knee with OptimiZe is a next generation robotic-assisted solution designed to support surgeon control, streamline workflow and enhance consistency in total knee arthroplasty. The system builds on the ROSA platform with intelligent planning tools, realtime tracking, and a simplified user interface that prioritizes efficiency and reproducibility.
Mölnlycke ProcedurePak Trays
Customized ProcedurePak Trays can reduce surgical preparation time by up to 40%, giving healthcare teams more time to focus on patients and supporting smoother, more predictable operations. Mölnlycke’s customised ProcedurePak Trays are assembled to contain all the single-use components required for a particular surgical intervention, replacing numerous individually packaged items.
Francis Medical Inc. Vanquish Water Vapor Ablation System
FDA-cleared in November 2025, the Francis Medical Vanquish Water Ablation System is a transurethral, ultrasound and electromagnetically guided, thermal water vapor device used to convectively ablate targeted prostate tissue. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
OR Today Spring 2026
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OUT OF THE OR
Savvy Weeknight Family Meal
Because this time of year can be crazy busy, drive-thru meals can easily become the norm. While fast-food burgers may do the trick once in a while, they can get old quick if your family is eating them every other night. This quick and easy Baked Spaghetti can bring everybody back to the table and it won’t break the bank either.
One Type of Hidden Fat May Signal Greater Brain Risk
The effect of obesity on brain health may depend not only on how much fat is in the body, but also on the areas of the body where fat is stored, according to a study published in Radiology, the flagship journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Fiber’s Cultural Moment Exposes America’s Whole Grain Problem
Fiber may be having a cultural moment, but most Americans still aren’t getting enough of it – or fully understanding where it comes from. A new IFIC Spotlight Survey: Americans’ Perceptions of Fiber & Whole Grains finds that two-thirds of Americans say they either fall short on fiber or don’t know how much they consume, even as “fibermaxxing” trends across TikTok and Instagram, and experts forecast fiber as the “new protein.”
Go Beyond the Six-Pack Workout
When looking to strengthen one’s core, it is wise to go beyond the six-pack or flat abs image. A six-pack is the result of building a strong core. When it comes to fitness, the core deserves much more attention. The core is the foundation for all other movements.
Fixing the Invisible Crisis
Here’s something I’ve observed countless times. The most reliable person on a team carries way more weight than anyone realizes and eventually burns out. But nobody notices until it’s too late.
OR Today Contest Winner: April 2026
Everyone likes FREE stuff and we want to hear from our readers! It is a win-win for everyone involved. Please take a moment to tell us what you like about OR Today magazine. PLUS you could win a $25 gift card!
Fixing a Misused Workplace Tool
Performance reviews are some of the most underused tools in the workplace, and when they are used, they’re one of the most misused tools in the workplace. I’ve said that for years, and the data keeps backing me up.
Survey Signals National Nutrition Crisis
A national survey released by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) finds that nearly half of Americans are turning to unaccredited sources, social media and AI-generated recommendations to guide their nutrition decisions – bypassing the professionals rigorously trained to provide accurate, science-based nutrition care.
A Beautifully Baked Beef Dinner
For something truly wholesome, try this Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach Salad. It’s a full meal the whole family can enjoy, and you’ll be surprised at how easy it makes it to feed all the smiling faces.
