AORN journal
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Preoperative anxiety is a common component of the surgical experience, and increased levels of anxiety may alter a patient's surgical course and cause increased postoperative pain. A review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the presence and significance of any correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain. Although inconsistency was found in the articles that were reviewed, most of the available evidence revealed a positive correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain. Further studies should be conducted to establish the correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain and to determine appropriate nursing interventions.
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Distance learning in nursing education is arriving with unprecedented speed, which has led to much uncertainty among educators. This article provides an overview of distance learning and its application to perioperative nursing. ⋯ Models for assessing outcomes and effectiveness are important tools to use when implementing a distance learning program. Basic perioperative nursing concepts, skills, procedures, and recommended practices can be introduced effectively with online distance learning modalities and then reinforced through a clinical component.
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To reduce the incidence of surgical site infections, preoperative prophylactic antibiotics should be administered within 60 minutes before the initial incision is made. A recent study and anecdotal observations, however, indicate that rates for compliance with these guidelines are low. A quality improvement project was undertaken at a Florida health care facility to determine if implementing changes in preoperative processes would increase compliance with prophylactic antibiotic administration guidelines. After the strategies were implemented, compliance rates with the national guidelines for administration of antibiotics within 60 minutes of surgical incision increased from 75% at baseline to 95% postimplementation.