SSQCPE amendments 2024
Update to ACORN Standards for Safe and Quality Care in the Perioperative Environment (SSQCPE)
Release date: 17 December 2024
The Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN) has completed a review and consultation period for the updating of the Standards for Safe and Quality Care in the Perioperative Environment (SSQCPE). This consultation process included members of the ACORN Board of Directors, ACORN members, health service organisations and relevant subject-matter experts, underpinned by best-practice evidence.
Please note that all changes are reflected in both the SSQCPE for Individuals and SSQCPE for Organisations volumes.
Hypothermia patient comfort
A minor amendment to the wording around the use of ‘warming strategies to be continued until patients are normothermic and comfortably warm’, rather than ‘or warm’. Self-reporting patient comfort levels alone is not a reliable source of effective normothermic management. Evidence highlights under-reporting of hypothermia when relying on patient self-reporting patient comfort level alone.
Removal of requirement of perioperative staff to wear Medic-Alert® bracelet
Perioperative personnel with confirmed latex allergy were previously advised to wear a Medic Alert® bracelet. However, this is incongruous with Asepsis, Surgical hand antisepsis gowning and gloving, and perioperative attire Standards. This sentence has been removed to avoid contradiction and ensure consistency across the full suite of ACORN Standards.
Change glove time discrepancy
A cross-referencing review between the Asepsis and Surgical hand antisepsis gowning and gloving standards highlighted a discrepancy between the maximum wear time of gloves before requiring a change. This has been rectified to directly align with the evidence supporting changing gloves after a ‘maximum wear time of 90-150mins’.
Addition of Terminal Cleaning to glossary
Feedback from perioperative stakeholders requested the inclusion of ‘terminal cleaning’ in the relevant standard glossaries. This has been added to both the SSQCPE for Individuals and SSQCPE for Organisations volumes.
10% iodine correction
Within the Patient skin antisepsis Standard it was previously stated that:
'Research suggests that either 2% chlorhexidine or 10% iodine in 70% alcohol should be used for skin antisepsis'
This has been corrected to:
'Research suggests that either 2% chlorhexidine or 10% povidone-iodine (or 1% iodine equivalent) in 70% alcohol should be used for skin antisepsis’.
This is repeated for all content with reference to ‘10% iodine’ within the suite of ACORN Standards.
Amendments to remove discrepancies between volumes
A gap analysis and comparison of the SSQCPE for Individuals and SSQCPE for Organisations highlighted some minor differences in terminology, criterion and structure between the volumes. Amendments have been made to ensure direct alignment between the two volumes.
ACORN received over 1000 pieces of feedback from ACORN members, health service organisations and other perioperative stakeholders. Every piece of feedback was read and assessed for immediate action, future action or inclusion of additional context or commentary. We thank the perioperative community for taking the time to provide their constructive feedback, suggestions and research to support ACORN in ensuring that ACORN’s professional practice standards remain up to date, relevant and applicable to the Australian health care environment.
Edwina Eaton (Clinical Excellence Coordinator)
On behalf of the ACORN Board of Directors
