95 - Escaping Infection: A Multidisciplinary Simulation to Reinforce AORN Guidelines

Description: A multidisciplinary team of perioperative educators, infection prevention control educators, and quality specialists collaborated to address a gap in compliance and awareness related to standard infection prevention and surgical safety practices. The team identified that traditional didactic and asynchronous methods were insufficient for reinforcing critical AORN Guidelines, particularly those related to Environmental Cleaning, Surgical Attire, and Prevention of Transmissible Infections. To address this, the team designed an intraoperative escape room to engage all roles within the operating room. The escape room implemented gamification learning while aligning with evidence-based practices. Preparation included an audit review, learning needs assessment, and interdisciplinary collaboration to identify key objectives of the escape. These objectives guided the development of puzzles that required participants to apply standard institutional policies, concepts of the chain of infection, and AORN recommendations in real-time. Assessment tools included pre- and post-intervention surveys measuring knowledge of major gaps identified during the learning needs assessment. The escape room was implemented with perioperative staff across multiple sites and specialties, ensuring broad participation. Outcomes demonstrated improved knowledge along with promoting teamworking and recognition of the unique skills each member brings to the team. Participants reported high satisfaction with the interactive format and noted its effectiveness in translating guidelines into practice. This innovation highlights the value of experiential learning in perioperative education and supports the integration of AORN Guidelines into engaging, team-based training formats that promote clinical excellence and patient safety.