Recently the perioperative teams across the Southcoast Health system gathered to celebrate all surgical locations earning the prestigious Go Clear™ Award by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) as a Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation.

This national recognition underscores Southcoast Health’s unwavering commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for both patients and surgical staff by effectively eliminating the hazards of surgical smoke.

“We are proud to earn the AORN Go Clear™ Award and this recognition reflects our ongoing dedication to the health and safety of our patients, providers and staff. Eliminating surgical smoke is a critical component of our comprehensive safety program, and this award validates our efforts to provide the highest quality care in an optimal environment,” said Dennis LaRock, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Physician Officer at Southcoast Health.

Surgical smoke, a hazardous byproduct of laser and electrosurgical procedures, poses significant health risks to those exposed. Southcoast Health recognizes the importance of eliminating this risk and has taken proactive steps to ensure a smoke-free surgical environment.

“Throughout the evaluation process, our facilities were rated on education performance, smoke evacuation compliance and ensuring that each of our surgical spaces have sufficient smoke evacuators and accessories,” said Deborah Farina Mulloy, PhD, RN, CNOR, ACNO for Perioperative Services at Southcoast Health. “I want to congratulate all of our teams on this prestigious achievement, which is a direct result of their hard work, collaboration and commitment to a high standard of excellence in patient care and safety.”   

AORN’s Guidelines for perioperative practice serve as the gold standard for evidence-based recommendations, ensuring safe and effective perioperative patient care while safeguarding workplace safety.

“Surgical smoke occurs every day in operating rooms and poses health risks to those exposed to it. AORN created this program so that every facility can understand the urgency and take steps to protect the health and safety of patients, nurses, physicians, and support staff,” said David Wyatt, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN, AORN CEO & Executive Director. “This Center of Excellence for Surgical Safety designation shows the community that the surgical teams at Southcoast Health are committed to providing high-quality care.”

To learn more about surgical services at Southcoast Health please visit www.southcoast.org/services/surgical-services/.