RP implementation: specimen management.

Area of Science:

• Perioperative Nursing
• Surgical Pathology
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Accurate patient diagnosis and intervention depend on effective perioperative specimen management.
• The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) provides essential guidance for this process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline AORN's "Recommended practices for specimen management" for perioperative settings.
• To emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and error awareness in specimen handling.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of AORN's "Recommended practices for specimen management" document.
• Identification of key components within the specimen management process, from collection to documentation.

Main Results:

• The recommended practices cover a comprehensive specimen management process: needs assessment, site identification, collection, handling, transfer, containment, labeling, preservation, transport, disposition, and documentation.
• Specific specimen types addressed include breast cancer, amputated limbs, forensic, radioactive, and explanted devices.
• Effective multidisciplinary communication is highlighted as critical for minimizing errors.

Conclusions:

• Implementing AORN's recommended practices ensures standardized and accurate specimen management.
• These guidelines are applicable in both hospital and ambulatory surgical settings, enhancing patient safety and diagnostic accuracy.