At AORN 2026 in New Orleans, a colorectal SSI bundle shows how standardized intraoperative nursing practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and data tracking can reduce infections and improve surgical outcomes.
At the 2026 Association of periOperative Registered Nurse (AORN) Global Surgical Conference & Expo (AORN26) in New Orleans, Louisiana, a poster presentation is highlighting how standardized, evidence-based intraoperative care can reduce surgical site infections in colorectal procedures. The poster, “49 – Reducing Surgical Infections: Evidence-Based Care in Colorectal Surgery,” was presented by Julia Martin, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CCRN, clinical nurse specialist at WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, with coauthor Amanda F. Freedman, MSN, RNC-OB, APRN, ACNS-BC, perinatal clinical nurse specialist at WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Graham, North Carolina.
Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a significant concern in colorectal surgery, contributing to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and rising health care costs. In response to an increase in deep-tissue SSIs, Martin and her colleagues led an interdisciplinary effort to develop a comprehensive intraoperative care bundle to standardize practices and reduce variability…