Safe Patient Positioning in the Operating Room: The Perioperative Nurse’s Role in Injury Prevention

Abstract: Safe Patient Positioning in the Operating Room: The Perioperative Nurse’s Role in Injury Prevention

Proposed Date: Tuesday, September 15 , 2026, at 7.30 – 8.30 pm EST

(to align with ORNAO webinar availability schedule)

Overview:

Safe patient positioning is a foundational responsibility of perioperative nurses and a critical determinant of surgical safety and postoperative outcomes. In the operating room, patients are unable to protect themselves from harm related to pressure, nerve compression, joint strain, and physiological compromise. As surgical procedures continue to increase in complexity, duration, and patient acuity, including higher rates of obesity and multiple comorbid conditions, the risk of positioning-related injury remains a significant challenge within perioperative practice.

Purpose:

This ORNAC webinar will review evidence-informed principles of safe patient positioning and highlight the perioperative nurse’s role in assessing risk, coordinating interdisciplinary positioning activities, and implementing strategies to prevent avoidable injury across the perioperative continuum.

Content Description:

The session explores patient-specific and procedure-specific factors that contribute to positioning-related injuries, including pressure injuries, peripheral nerve injuries, and musculoskeletal complications. Participants will review the four primary surgical positions, supine, prone, lateral, and lithotomy, along with common variations, with discussion of physiological effects, pressure points, and associated risks. Special consideration is given to high-risk populations, including obese patients and those with limited mobility or implanted devices. Practical guidance is provided on the use of positioning devices, pressure redistribution surfaces, intraoperative reassessment, documentation, and postoperative skin and neurovascular assessment.

Relevance to Perioperative Nursing Practice:

This webinar reinforces the perioperative nurse’s responsibility as a patient safety advocate during positioning through collaboration with anesthesia and surgical team members. Strategies discussed align with professional practice standards and support consistent, safe positioning practices across surgical specialties.

Learning Outcomes:

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to describe the importance of proper patient positioning, identify common positioning-related risks, apply evidence-informed strategies to reduce injury, and recognize special considerations for high-risk patient populations

Speaker:

Kimberly Parker, BSN, RN, CNOR, Senior Clinical Specialist, STERIS

Speaker Contact:

E: Kimberly_Parker@steris.com 

M: 276-732-4859

Biography:

Kimberly Parker, BSN, RN is a Senior Clinical Specialist with more than 32 years in the nursing profession and a deep focus on operating room safety and best practices. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Radford University in Virginia, with a minor in Psychology. Kimberly spent nearly 15 years practicing in the operating room with an additional eight years in the ICU, where she held multiple leadership roles. During these years, she obtained her CNOR certification and became a Registered Nurse First Assistant after completing her RNFA training at North Carolina A&T University. As technology and system complexity expanded within the OR, Kimberly transitioned into perioperative education at a Level I trauma center, where she focused on onboarding, competency development, and safe workflow integration for new surgical staff. This experience shaped her systems-based view of the operating room as a high-risk environment where design, process, and human factors must align to protect patients and staff. Her passion for infection prevention and risk reduction led her into the medical device industry, where she has spent the past two and a half years with STERIS. Today, as a Senior Clinical Specialist, Kimberly partners with engineering, marketing, and sales teams to translate real-world clinical demands into safe, effective solutions. Her work centers on supporting bedside caregivers and reinforcing evidence-based practices that contribute to reliable performance, a safer OR environment, and improved patient outcomes.