The ACORN Standards for Perioperative Nursing 2008 is the result of an extensive review of the previous publication which will ensure a continued valuable resource for perioperative nurses and other professionals involved with the care of patients in the perioperative environment. 
ACORN’s mission is to promote excellence in perioperative nursing care and by the production of these Standards which utilise evidence based practice and expert knowledge, the vision to achieve best patient care outcomes can be achieved.

The review and compilation of the Standards is an enormous task coordinated by the ACORN Standards Committee and assisted by perioperative nurses across Australia.  I recognise and thank all those who contributed to the current edition and have generously given of their expertise and time to ensure that the publication is current and relevant to practice.

Changes in the design from the traditional folder to book format reflects current International trends and is intended to make the 2008 edition more cost effective to produce.

The new Standard (S25 Management of Sharps in the Perioperative Environment) and Guideline (G5 Use of the Pneumatic Tourniquet) have been sequentially added to the index rather than changing the previous coding of all standards, nursing roles, guidelines and position statements.  The number of each standard continues to be located on the top right hand corner of the first page of each standard to enable ease of location.  

Purchase your copy
Copies of the 2008 edition can be purchased using the order form or by contacting the ACORN secretariat or by telephone (08) 8387 9666 or fax (08) 8322 2999. 

The work of the Standards Committee is ongoing and in 2008 and beyond we will be focussing on regular feedback on the website, preparing for the 2010 publication and publishing Resource Packages. 

Download 2008 Standards Order Form

Be heard Have - your Say
We are interested in hearing from any perioperative nurses who have specific requests for standards or guidelines to assist with identified issues in their workplaces. 

Please email your request by 30th June 2008 and they will be considered by the committee and the Board for the 2010 edition.


Nanette Lundie
Chair, Standards Committee
2006-2008