By Esther Espunyes, EORNA President Last week, I reflected on why safe surgery begins before the first incision. This week, I want to focus on a principle that defines perioperative excellence: every step matters. The 7S Bundle (developed by Surgical Infection Consultants Maureen Spencer and Peter Graves) reminds us that preventing surgical site infections is…
By Esther Espunyes, EORNA President Last week, I reflected on how organisational culture creates the foundation for safe surgery. This week, I want to focus on where safety first becomes tangible: the preoperative pathway. The quality of surgical outcomes is often determined before a patient enters the operating room. Prehabilitation reminds us that preparing patients…
By Esther Espunyes, EORNA President Last week, I reflected on why perioperative nurses are essential to safe surgery. But safety cannot depend on individual commitment alone. It needs to be embedded in the way an organisation thinks, leads and works. High Reliability Organisations offer an important perspective. They operate in complex environments where the consequences…
By Esther Espunyes, EORNA President As perioperative nurses, we sometimes underestimate the complexity of what we bring to the operating room. We are there to speak for the patient when they cannot speak for themselves. We coordinate people, information and processes in an environment where every detail matters. We anticipate what may be needed, identify…
By EORNA Vice-President, Ólafur Guðbjörn Skúlason Sustainability in healthcare is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. As perioperative nurses, we are on the frontline of patient care, but we must also recognize our role in reducing the environmental impact of operating rooms (ORs). Hospitals generate a significant amount of waste and consume vast resources, and…
By EORNA President, Jaana Perttunen The European healthcare system is facing an unprecedented challenge: a severe and growing shortage of nurses. Nowhere is this more critical than in perioperative nursing, where skilled professionals are essential to ensuring patient safety, surgical efficiency, and high-quality outcomes. As President of EORNA, I want to highlight the urgency of…
By Aina Hague, EORNA Secretary Nursing has long been a cornerstone of healthcare, yet across Europe, we are facing an alarming crisis: fewer young people are choosing nursing as a career. The OECD’s latest findings paint a worrying picture—by 2030, many European countries may not have enough nurses to meet demand. For perioperative nursing, where…
By EORNA Treasurer, Manuel Valente Surgical smoke is an invisible but critical occupational hazard that many perioperative nurses and surgical teams face daily. With over 500,000 healthcare professionals exposed to surgical smoke each year in Europe, it’s time to take stronger action to protect all professionals and patients. The Hidden Dangers of Surgical Smoke During…
By Ólafur Guðbjörn Skúlason, Vice-President and EORNA Board member from ISORNA (Iceland) A Crisis in Numbers: What the OECD Tells Us The OECD’s Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report reveals a growing crisis: healthcare systems across Europe are under strain due to workforce shortages and burnout. Recruitment and retention are particularly difficult in high-pressure…
By Jaana Perttunen, EORNA President The gender pay gap in healthcare is real. And yes, it exists even in nursing – one of the most female-dominated professions in the world. Despite being the backbone of surgical care, perioperative nurses across Europe are still undervalued and underpaid. In 2025, that should no longer be acceptable. Why…
