DECEMBER COVER STORY
The Outpatient Surgery Boom: Why ASCs Are Taking on Joint Replacements and Spine Cases
Total knee and hip replacements are moving to ASCs fast. AORN, AAAHC and ASCA experts on outpatient surgery patient selection, outcomes and staffing.
CORPORATE PROFILE
Corporate Profile: Healthmark, a Getinge Company
As surgical volumes and case 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...
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
AAAHC standards move into MedTrainer platform to support year-round survey readiness
Partnership embeds accreditation standards in policy templates now, with AI assistant and policy review tools to follow
Who’s liable when surgical AI fails? AMA framework spreads accountability
The American Medical Association says developers, health systems and physicians should each answer for the risks they can control. An ASC leader explains what that means for surgery centers.
Southeast Perioperative Nurses Flock to Hilton Head Island for 2026 Conference
The 2026 Southeast Councils of periOperative Nurses Conference comes to Hilton Head Island Nov. 13-15 — CEUs, networking and vendor solutions. Register now.
ASCA: Proposed Price Transparency Requirements Would Create Burdens for ASCs
ASCA explains why the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act (S. 2355) would add costly, duplicative price transparency reporting for ambulatory surgery centers.
Perioperative Succession Planning: Building the Leadership Pipeline Before You Need It
How OR leaders can build a perioperative leadership pipeline before a vacancy, with role-based succession planning, stretch assignments and CCI’s CSSL.
SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight On: Donna Doyle and Her Fight for Surgical Smoke Evacuation Laws
After nearly 50 years in perioperative nursing, Donna Doyle, DNP, RN, CNOR, consults, mentors and champions surgical smoke evacuation legislation.
Spotlight On: Jane Flowers and a 40-Year Legacy of Mentoring OR Nurses
Through a 40-year career in the OR and nearly a decade of “retirement,” perioperative nurse Jane Flowers has made mentorship and recognition her life’s work — helping dozens of young nurses find their footing, their certifications and their home in the profession.
Spotlight On: Charlotte Dorsey MSN, RN, CNOR
It’s said that nurses never really retire – they just move on to other types of care. Charlotte Dorsey is a living example of this phenomenon.
Spotlight On: Renae Battié MN, RN, CNOR, FAAN
In 2019, Renae stepped away from nearly a half-century of delivering and managing the delivery of perioperative care to assume the role of vice president, nursing with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).
Spotlight On: Trenton Harms
Trenton Harms never dreamed that 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...
Spotlight On: Katelynn Vaughan
Almost any OR nurse can tell you about the lack of exposure to perioperative education in most nursing schools. Katelynn Vaughan is determined to do something about this.
PRODUCT SHOWROOM
Medical Washers and Disinfectants Market Evolves to Meet Growing Surgical Demands
Infection prevention, automation and ASC growth are reshaping the medical washers and disinfectants market. What SPD and OR leaders should weigh.
CIVCO ASTRA: Automated Ultrasound Probe Reprocessing
CIVCO’s ASTRA Automated Reprocessors speed probe reprocessing, disinfecting up to two TEE, transvaginal or transrectal probes at once in 10-16 minutes.
Ecolab Disinfectant 1 Wipe With a 100% Plastic-Free Wipe
Ecolab’s Disinfectant 1 Wipe is the first EPA-registered wipe to pair a 1-minute contact time with a 100% plastic-free wipe made from wood pulp fibers.
MicroCare Medical Spec Clean Surgical Instrument Cleaners
MicroCare Medical’s Spec Clean surgical instrument cleaners, formerly the Pro line, include enzymatic and ultrasonic cleaners, endoscope sponges and wipes.
Ruhof Endozime AW Triple Plus with APA Enzymatic Detergent
Ruhof’s enzymatic detergent with Advanced Proteolytic Action removes bioburden from lumens and channels in washers, ultrasonics and manual cleaning.
Cincinnati Surgical Swann Morton Safety Scalpels
The Swann Morton retracting guard safety scalpel combines retracting guard technology with the trusted quality of the world-leading surgical blade manufacturer.
Henry Schein Brand Topical Skin Adhesive – OCTYL
Henry Schein Brand Topical Skin Adhesive – OCTYL features a clear, sterile formulation made with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate.
OUT OF THE OR
OR Today Contest Winner: November 2026
Congratulations to Carol Nelson of Texas Spine and Joint Hospital, our November 2026 contest winner. Tell us why you love OR Today for a chance to win.
Boost Morning Brainpower With Loaded Avocado Toast
This 10-minute loaded avocado toast with cannellini beans, hemp hearts, tomatoes and eggs is a fiber- and protein-packed breakfast for busy mornings.
Early-Life Sugar Exposure Linked to Anxiety in Adulthood
A University of Surrey study of 45,000+ UK Biobank participants links sugar exposure in the first 1,000 days of life to a higher risk of adult anxiety.
The Diversity We Often Overlook: Understanding DISC Behavioral Styles
Daniel Bobinski explains the four DISC behavioral styles and why valuing how colleagues think, communicate and decide helps teams get better results.
Where You Live May Influence Your Brain Health, MRI Study Finds
A Radiology study of 2,826 brain MRIs links disadvantaged neighborhoods to poorer brain health: older brain age, lower volume and more white matter lesions.
How to Design a Home Workout Space You’ll Actually Use
Make your home workout space one you’ll keep using: choose exercises you enjoy, work with the room you have, start small and add some atmosphere.
