The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), representing more than 200,000 surgical nurses across the country, has named CentraState Medical Center as a Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation. This award recognizes CentraState for its commitment to patient and workplace safety by taking a comprehensive approach to ensuring a smoke-free environment wherever surgical smoke is generated.

AORN’s Go Clear Award signifies that surgical teams at CentraState have successfully completed the comprehensive, evidence-based program and adopted technologies to ensure a surgical smoke-free environment for its patients and staff.

“CentraState is proud to receive this designation to underscore our commitment to the health and safety of patients, nurses, physicians, and staff,” said Cathleen Janzekovich, Chief Nursing Officer and VP, Patient Care Services.

Surgical smoke is a hazardous byproduct of any surgery involving a laser or an electrosurgical unit. Although research, professional organizations, and the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) identified surgical smoke as harmful many years ago, this byproduct continues to be a safety hazard in the operating room. The Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation (Go ClearTM) Program was developed to help perioperative teams improve safety efforts and protect staff and patients from the hazards of surgical smoke.

About CentraState

CentraState Healthcare System, a partner of Atlantic Health System, is a fully accredited, not-for-profit, community-based health system that provides comprehensive health services in the central New Jersey region. In addition to offering a full range of leading-edge diagnostic and treatment options, CentraState serves as a valuable health partner focused on the latest ways to prevent disease, promote healthy behaviors, and help people of all ages live life well. Based in Freehold, CentraState is comprised of a 284-bed acute-care hospital, a vibrant health and wellness campus, three award-winning senior living communities, a charitable foundation, and four convenient satellite health pavilions. The system also offers a family medicine residency and geriatric fellowship training program in affiliation with Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Among its many honors and accreditations, CentraState is one of less than two percent of hospitals nationwide to earn Magnet® designation for nursing excellence four times. To learn more, visit centrastate.com.