Onvida Health was recently awarded the AORN Go Clear Award for its outstanding commitment to eliminating surgical smoke from its operating rooms. The AORN Go Clear Award highlights Onvida Health’s success in using smoke evacuation systems to create a safer environment for everyone in the operating room.
Surgical smoke, created during procedures involving heat-producing devices, can release hazardous chemicals that expose operating room teams to serious health risks. This exposure has been linked to respiratory issues and eye and skin irritation. For example, perioperative nurses report twice as many respiratory issues as the general population.
“Receiving the AORN Go Clear Award represents our commitment to protecting everyone in the operating room,” said Brittany Chavez, Administrative Director of Perioperative Services. “This initiative isn’t just about meeting standards – it’s about protecting our patients and empowering our staff to deliver the best care in the safest environment possible. By reducing exposure to surgical smoke, we are taking a significant step toward safer, more innovative care.”
To earn this prestigious award, Onvida Health introduced advanced smoke evacuation technologies and provided training for operating room staff on the risks of surgical smoke and how to prevent it. These efforts ensure that the staff follows best practices, significantly reducing exposure to harmful smoke.
The AORN Go Clear Award recognizes Onvida Health’s leadership in addressing these risks through advanced smoke evacuation protocols and education. With this achievement, Onvida Health joins a select group of facilities nationwide recognized for prioritizing surgical safety and setting new standards of care. For more information about Onvida Health’s surgical team, please visit https://www.onvidahealth.org/services/general-surgery/.
