Education

Saturday, October 11

8:30-9:30 am

Opening Keynote: The Art of Speaking Up – Supporting a Culture of Safety in the OR

This session will empower perioperative team members to become bold advocates for patient safety by speaking up when it matters most. Through inspiring strategies and practical tools, participants will learn how to navigate the challenges of team dynamics and foster a culture of trust, respect, and psychological safety. Together, we’ll explore how every voice can make a difference—and how empowered teams create safer, stronger outcomes.

10:00-10:45 am

AAMI Sterile Processing Standards Update: What the OR Needs to Know

During this session, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of what standards are, how they’re developed, and their importance for practice and professionals. An overview of AAMI standards and technical documents for health care sterile processing and key information for the OR will be provided. Lastly, we’ll take a look ahead to currently developing new/revised standards and technical documents for sterile processing to help the OR prepare for what’s coming soon and the potential impact on practice.

10:00-10:45 am

Influencers of Perioperative Nurse Turnover

This presentation provides the background on perioperative nurse turnover and provides a confirmed theory that explains the turnover. Based on this confirmed theory, perioperative nurses and leaders can implement interventions to reduce perioperative nurse turnover.

11:00-11:45 am

From Classroom to Circulator: Systemizing Perioperative Readiness 

This presentation explores the development and implementation of a systemized Transition to Practice program grounded in AORN’s Periop 101 curriculum. Through aligning clinical education with core perioperative standards, we aim to create a consistent, competency-driven pathway for new nurses entering the OR across our seven acute-care hospitals. The program emphasizes collaboration among educators, preceptors, and leadership to strengthen support and ensure successful onboarding. We’ll share our journey so far, including successes, struggles, and lessons learned. We’ll share ideas, process insights, and provide a realistic look at what it takes to build and refine this program in progress.

11:00-11:45 am

Building a Fellowship Pipeline for Surgical Technologists: From Classroom to the OR

This presentation will explore the creation and implementation of a Surgical Technology Fellowship Program designed to seamlessly transition senior students into the perioperative workforce. By bridging academic preparation with practical, facility-specific onboarding, this model reduces hiring delays, minimizes orientation confusion, and fosters confident, well-integrated surgical technologists. Attendees will gain insight into how such a fellowship cultivates a broader understanding of the entire perioperative ecosystem — aligning surgical, sterile processing, anesthesia, and nursing efforts toward the shared goal of exceptional patient care.

2:00-3:00 pm

Body Mechanics to Reduce Physical Stress

As healthcare workers, we put significant physical strain on our bodies as we carry out our jobs to care for patients. We will discuss common workplace injuries and the importance of maintaining a strong and aligned core. We will demonstrate small changes that can be made to promote proper body mechanics during common tasks, like moving a patient from the OR table to the hospital bed/stretcher, to help reduce physical strain and prevent future injury.

2:00-3:00 pm

The Implications of GLP-1 Agonists and Marijuana in Perioperative Care

The rising use of GLP-1 agonists for both diabetes management and weight loss has significant implications for perioperative care due to their impact on gastric emptying and potential anesthetic complications. As a relatively new drug class, early perioperative guidelines were limited, but evolving recommendations now offer more clarity, though they may differ across institutions. Similarly, the legalization of recreational marijuana in Connecticut has made it increasingly important for providers to assess patients’ usage patterns, including frequency and form. Marijuana use can affect all phases of surgical care—preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative—and understanding these effects allows for more tailored and safer anesthesia management. Additionally, the perioperative period presents a valuable opportunity to educate patients on the importance of abstaining from marijuana use to reduce surgical risks.

Sunday, October 12

7:45-8:45 am

Lower Back Pain: Surgical Interventions When all Else Fails

This presentation will explore common causes of lower back pain and outline surgical interventions, including the discussion of new techniques, technology, and implants to improve patient outcomes.

7:45-8:45 am

Enhancing OR Efficiency with AI and Huddle Board Management

This presentation explores the latest clinical innovations shaping the perioperative field, focusing on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital huddle board management to improve operating room efficiency. Attendees will learn how emerging technologies transform surgical practices, enhance communication, and streamline workflows. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, participants will discover how to effectively integrate AI tools and digital communication platforms into their workflows. The session also addresses challenges and future trends, empowering teams to adapt seamlessly to ongoing technological advancements.

9:00-10:00 am

Closing Keynote: Know Your Why

This presentation explores the power of purpose in both personal and professional life. It emphasizes how understanding your core motivation can drive resilience, focus, and fulfillment. Through real-life stories and practical frameworks, attendees will learn how to identify their ‘why’ and align it with their daily actions. Whether you’re seeking clarity, direction, or renewed energy, this talk will offer tools to reconnect with what truly matters.