Maximizing nurses' advocacy role to improve patient outcomes

Perioperative nurses are eminently situated, academically prepared, and professionally qualified to positively affect patient outcomes. Increasing efficiency and justifying the need for an RN in the perioperative milieu revolve around nurses' role as patient advocates. Perioperative nurses can take many measures to maximize this role, including reducing surgical site infections by enabling the timely administration of antimicrobial prophylaxis and by ensuring that surgical staff members realize the documented risks of removing hair from the surgical site.