Identifying Top Research Priorities in Perioperative Nursing: An eDelphi Study of AORN Guideline Gaps

AORN published an extensive list of research priorities (2023-2028), spanning 34 guidelines and more than 400 subtopics, posing a challenge for focused research. To address this "choice overload" and guide future efforts, we followed Guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies reporting guidelines and conducted an eDelphi study with a panel of perioperative nurse experts. Through five iterative rounds, including surveys and a concluding virtual focus group, panelists achieved consensus on the most essential research needs. The study successfully identified the top five AORN guideline research gaps: unintentionally retained surgical items, positioning, sterile technique, safe patient handling, and hypothermia. These priorities, often linked to sentinel events and evolving technology, provide a crucial, focused roadmap for perioperative nursing practice, research, and education. This eDelphi method offers a replicable framework for translating broad research needs into actionable, impactful priorities, ultimately enhancing patient safety and quality of care.