Operating room controls: liability and responsibility

In the operating room, responsibilities for quality assurance extend to the tools and products selected. It is the responsibility of nurses to ensure there are no lapses in observing minimum standards of care. In the operating room, efforts must be directed at establishing written policies and procedures, assuring compliance with, and adherence to, guidelines, and conducting monitoring activities. An OR nurse may be liable if a hazardous product is used, recommended procedures are not followed, or an accepted safer alternative is not used.