3 Questions With… features some of the finest thought leaders in healthcare specialties such as Infection Prevention, Vascular Access, Surgical Care and more. These experts answer questions on the latest insights, evidence and current practices.

For our newest 3 Questions With… Eloquest Healthcare is proud to feature Peter Graves, BSN, RN, CNOR. Peter discusses what inspires him most in his role as an independent surgical care consultant as well as important issues that are currently underappreciated. He also discusses key recommendations to improve surgical outcomes for patients.

Peter B. Graves, BSN, RN, CNOR, is an independent consultant, speaker and writer focused upon prevention of infections and evidenced-based best practices in the operating room. Peter graduated in 1989 from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ with a BSN. He is also a certified operating room nurse (CNOR). He has authored and collaborated on multiple papers in peer-reviewed journals such as Perioperative Clinics, the AORN Journal, Nursing Management, Infection Control Today, Advance for Nurses, Journal of Perioperative Practice, and other journals.

Peter has authored chapters on prevention of surgical site infections in Perioperative Safety by Donna Watson and hand off communication for the Competency & Credentialing Institute’s CNOR Study Guide. Peter was a chapter reviewer of Alexander’s Care of the Patient in Surgery, thirteenth edition on infection control. He has presented extensively to both nurses and surgeons on a variety of topics, such as infection control, latex allergy, and patient and staff safety. He has presented internationally in Australia, Canada, Columbia, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, and Taiwan. In addition, he has been invited to speak at several AORN Congresses, general session speaker at the ANCC Magnet Hospital conference, the American Nurses Association, National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON), Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, Neonatal Nurse (AWONN), American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN), Korean Association of Operating Room Nurses (KAORN), Singapore Nurse Association, and the Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC).

An active professional with AORN. Peter chaired several national committees’ and is a past board member of AORN. He has extensive medical device and clinical experience, including the clinical surgical services manager position at Baylor Medical Center in Carrollton, Texas and chaired the Baylor Scott & White healthcare system’s OR policy subcommittee. Peter currently serves as a health care advisor to the Lewisville Goddard school, serves as a subject matter specialist for several medical device companies and healthcare organizations. Peter is a founding trustee for the CCI Research Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on funding perioperative research. Additionally, Peter is a member of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC); Nominated and inducted into the Surgical Infection Society; Inducted as an clinical affiliate member of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAKHS); and inducted into Sigma as a nurse leader – the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Peter loves to give back to his colleagues. He has helped countless nursing colleagues in developing posters and submissions on a variety of topics for specialty association meetings such as AORN, ID Week, AACN, APIC, and others. He also researches, writes, and produces accredited healthcare continuing education programs that are in use today.