RGCIRC conference highlights evolving role of OT nurses in safer surgical care
Bengaluru: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC) organised OTCON 2026, a conference focused on advances in operative nursing and perioperative patient care, bringing together nursing professionals, surgeons, anaesthesiologists, infection-control specialists, educators and industry experts.
Held on Saturday the conference focused on strengthening surgical safety, infection prevention, teamwork and patient outcomes amid rapid advances in operating-room technology.
Sessions covered evidence-based perioperative nursing, prevention of surgical-site infections, effective use of surgical safety checklists, specialised instrument handling, robotic surgery, stoma care, bleeding management and the development of high-reliability operating theatres.
The conference also examined the expanding responsibilities of OT nurses, including clinical decision-making, governance, professional empowerment and legal responsibilities. A quiz competition provided an interactive learning component.
Col. Madhumita Dhall, Director of Nursing, RGCIRC, said operating theatre nurses need technical expertise as well as the ability to identify risks, communicate effectively and participate in clinical decisions.
“OT nurses must be equipped not only with procedural knowledge, but also with the confidence to communicate, identify risks and contribute actively to clinical decision-making,” she said.
A key highlight was the launch of Mastering Operative Nursing: Theory to Theater , authored by Dr Ajay Kumar Dewan, Director of Surgical Oncology, and Dr Shagun Bhatia Shah, Senior Consultant, Oncoanaesthesiology, RGCIRC.
The book covers preoperative preparation, intraoperative management and postoperative care, besides sterilisation, instrumentation, infection prevention, robotic surgery, minimally invasive procedures and enhanced recovery protocols.
RGCIRC said the initiative reinforces its focus on nursing education, multidisciplinary teamwork and patient safety.