Jefferson Medical Center recognized as a center of excellence in surgical safety
RANSON, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Jefferson Medical Center has been nationally recognized by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) as a Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation, earning the distinguished AORN Go Clear Award™.
This recognition reflects the hospital’s strong and ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of surgical safety. One of the key efforts leading to this award was the elimination of surgical smoke in operating rooms—a common but often overlooked byproduct of many procedures that can expose patients and staff to harmful chemicals, viruses, and other airborne toxins.
“This designation is not only a professional milestone, but also a reflection of the care and vigilance our surgical teams bring to every case,” Nicole Dollison, president and CEO of Jefferson Medical Center, said. “Patient safety is the foundation of every clinical decision made within our walls. The steps taken to remove surgical smoke represent our broader approach to fostering a safer, more controlled surgical environment.”
To achieve the Go Clear Award™, Jefferson Medical Center completed AORN’s evidence-based training program and adopted advanced smoke evacuation technology throughout its surgical areas. These efforts help safeguard the health of surgical staff while contributing to improved outcomes and safer recoveries for patients.
“Surgical smoke occurs every day in operating rooms and poses health risks to those exposed to it,” David Wyatt, CEO & Executive Director of AORN, said. “AORN created this program so that every facility can understand the urgency and take steps to protect the health and safety of patients, nurses, physicians, and support staff. This Center of Excellence for Surgical Safety designation shows the community that the surgical teams at Jefferson Medical Center are committed to providing high-quality care.”
Jefferson Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of surgical services, including general, gynecologic, orthopaedic, ENT, plastic and reconstructive, pulmonary, robotic and trauma procedures. This recognition affirms that patients who undergo surgery at Jefferson Medical Center can expect a safer, more carefully controlled environment where clinical excellence and patient well-being are held to the highest standard.
For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org/Jefferson.
Photo cutline: Members of the Jefferson Medical Center surgical services team gather to accept the AORN Go Clear Award.
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25 – June
CED: 6-24-25