Public Consultation - SSQCPE drafts
We are excited to announce that drafts of ACORN's clinical standards are now open for public comment!
Each standard will be available for feedback for a period of six weeks, and we strongly encourage all perioperative stakeholders to contribute their insights. Your feedback is crucial to ensuring the standards are relevant, accurate and practical, ultimately enhancing patient safety in the perioperative environment across Australia. To provide your feedback, simply download the draft document of the standard you wish to review, then follow the link to the survey provided beneath the document. The survey should take approximately seven minutes to complete.
Please refrain from adding feedback directly within the document or using track changes, as previous consultations have shown that documents with multiple track changes are challenging to analyse effectively. We appreciate your valuable input and look forward to your contribution!
The public comment process plays a vital role in the development and refinement of these standards. By sharing your feedback, you are helping to shape standards that reflect the diverse perspectives and experiences of those working in the perioperative field. Your voice is integral to ensuring these standards are both practical and applicable, supporting ongoing improvements in patient care and safety across Australia. Together, we can make a significant impact on the future of perioperative practice.
Download the poster for your tearoom or education board to let your team know how they can be involved: ACORN Standards Public Consultation Poster
Now open:
Patient positioning and manual handling
Download draft for review - Patient positioning and manual handling
Feedback survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C2X35XL
Feedback open 16 October – 26 November 2025
Surgical plume
Download draft for review - Surgical plume
Feedback survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H8GWCFN
Feedback open 21 October – 1 December 2025
Latex and chlorhexidine sensitivity
Download draft for review - Latex and chlorhexidine sensitivity
Feedback survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9D5WTPD
Feedback open 24 October – 4 December 2025
Laser safety
Download draft to review - Laser safety
Feedback survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7QFVV9C
Feedback open 3 November – 14 December 2025
Closed:
Visitors to the perioperative environment – Feedback open 7 April – 8 May 2025
Perioperative team communication (formerly Surgical safety) – Feedback open 1 May – 15 June 2025
Management of accountable items – Feedback open 17 June – 28 July 2025
Patient skin antisepsis – Feedback open 28 July – 14 September 2025
Cleaning and maintaining the perioperative environment – Feedback open 15 September – 26 October 2025
Electrosurgical safety – Feedback open 24 September – 4 November 2025
Sharps and preventing sharps-related injury – Feedback open 29 September – 9 November 2025