Module 1: ORNAC and the Perioperative Environment

🎯 Module Objectives 

1. Identify the three phases of perioperative patient care; 
2. Identify the members of the “team’”. 
3. Recognize the significance of the ORNAC standards in supporting safe patient care during the perioperative period; 
4. Identify the importance of ORNAC in reviewing, validating, and updating current standards using evidence-informed guidelines, research, current clinical practice, and expert opinion; 
5. Demonstrate how to access the ORNAC standards, utilizing online access. 
6. Identify 2 things you did not know about ORNAC until you had completed this module. 

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📖 Required Readings 

The ORNAC Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses, 15th Ed., 2021
Pages vii, viii, xv-xxxi, 3-3 – 3-23, 4-3 – 4-84

The ORNAC Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses, 16th Ed., 2023
Pages vii, viii, xv-xxxi, 3-1 – 3-17,

Canadian Nurses Association (2022). Certification. Certification – Canadian Nurses Association (cna-aiic.ca)  

Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery
16th Ed. Ch 1 p. 1-11 / 17th Ed. Ch 1 p. 1-10

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Introduction

Greetings! Welcome to the wonderful world of perioperative nursing! We are so glad you have decided to join our specialty. This Certificate is broken into 4 Theory Courses taught over 31 modules. It will delve into the specialty from all angles, but as we all know, learning about your new specialty’s practices is ongoing, from your first day to retirement. 

This module will provide a brief history of perioperative nursing and introduce you to the perioperative environment. We will also introduce you to the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) and their development and use of The ORNAC Standards, Guidelines, and Position Statements for Perioperative Registered Nurses (The Standards) which features prominently in your learning, and we hope, subsequently in your practice.