Course Code: REL-ACU-0-INFPPO
Hours: 1
Type: Online Course
Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2028
Learning Objectives:
Explain how patient, environmental, and procedural factors contribute to the development of SSIs.
Describe evidence-based infection prevention strategies across the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care.
Evaluate the effectiveness of infection prevention measures through surveillance data, team communication, and adherence to antimicrobial stewardship principles.
Outline:
Section 1: Fundamentals of Infection
Beyond the Incision
The Prevalence of Infection
Surgical Site Infection
Impacts of SSI
Review
Reducing Infection Vulnerability
Four-Pronged Approach
Patient Risk Factors
Antimicrobial Stewardship in SSI Prevention
Review
Infection Prevention Strategies Across the Perioperative Experience
Pre-Admission
Preoperative
Intraoperative
Postoperative
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 2: SSI Surveillance and Related Practices
Surveillance Programs
Post-Discharge Surveillance
Telehealth and Mobile Wound Monitoring
Duration of Surgery
Wound Closure Classification
Nosocomial Infections
Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)
Pneumonia (VAP and HAP)
Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)
Review
Device Reprocessing: Point-of-Use Cleaning
Implicit Bias in Infection Prevention
Key Takeaways
Section 3: Factors for Preventing Infection
Environmental Factors
Surgical Suite Design and Traffic Flow
Air Quality and Environmental Controls
Environmental Monitoring and Best Practices
Maintaining the Optimal OR Environment
Review
Individual Factors
Human Factors and Teamwork in SSI Prevention
Shedding
Implants
Surgical Attire
Personal Protective Equipment
Review
Key Takeaways
Section 4: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Information
Course Contributors
ReferencesInstructor: Brandy Verton, BSN, RN, CNOR
Brandy is a certified perioperative nurse with a background in both scrub and circulator roles across a variety of surgical specialties. She earned her BSN with summa cum laude honors from Capella University and has served as a Surgical Services Clinical Educator and Periop 101 instructor. Her early clinical experience on a postoperative and medical-surgical overflow unit shaped her commitment to patient-centered care and team collaboration. Throughout her career, she has contributed to hospital committees and process improvement efforts focused on safety, education, and quality outcomes. Brandy is passionate about creating practical, real-world education that helps clinicians feel supported in their work, build confidence in their skills, and continue delivering safe, effective care.
Instructor: Brian C Sheridan, CST
Brian is an accomplished certified surgical technologist with over 20 years of experience. He graduated cum laude on the Dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement with a certificate in Surgical Technology from Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. He is well-versed in a variety of specialties including multi-surgeon complex cancer cases. As a preceptor, he enjoys sharing his knowledge with new surgical technologists and nurses, teaching them the fundamentals of the scrub role. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Nursing Personnel; Surgical Personnel; in the following settings: Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)/Outpatient Surgical Centers, Hospitals: Acute, Hospitals: Critical Access (CAHs).
Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.
Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.
All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.