Twenty years ago, gloves were optional in the nursing arena, but times have changed for good reason and for the better. Maintaining a safe environment and following precautionary measures when using chemicals and medications is the responsibility of every gastroenterology employee. This session will cover what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention say about personal protective equipment in the endoscopy suite. Discussion will include what is required and why. Also covered will be some of the disease processes easily spread with splatters in the endoscopy suite. A review of Material Safety Data Sheets and precautions with sclerotherapy medications and high level disinfection and sterilization products used in the endoscopy lab will be provided.

Section Description

We are pleased to present the Abstracts from the SGNA's 32nd Annual Course: Passion for GI Nursing: Pass It On!! The diversity of these topics certainly reflects the richness and breadth of our specialty. In keeping with the tradition of the Annual Course, we hope the following abstracts will encourage discussions for improving nursing practice and patient care outcomes.