Contributed by Competency & Credentialing Institute. The operating room is an increasingly specialized and complex practice area. Technology advances rapidly, and consumers of perioperative care demand safe, quality treatment. "Surgical intervention requires a well-honed team of experts that trust each other, from the physicians to nurses and surgical techs," Larry…

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The lingering effects of the recession continue to affect OR staffing, according to results of the 20th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Like last year, most OR directors and managers (78% vs 80% in 2009) said the economic downturn has had an impact on staffing. But this year's results indicate…

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As health care facilities continue to face tight economics, the staffing picture of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is much the same as last year. Compared to a year ago, most ASC managers say the number of open positions, staff turnover, and recruitment are about the same. There are few open…

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First in a series on selecting and hiring perioperative nurses and integrating them into the staff. OR managers have often sought the magic bullet for recruiting and retaining qualified RN circulators. In 10 years of developing a successful model for onboarding perioperative RNs, we've learned that success requires a kaleidoscope…

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Perioperative managers and directors give 12-hour shifts mixed reviews. Two-thirds responding to an online survey by OR Manager say they use these extended shifts. On the plus side, they say the shifts help in covering off shifts and weekends and aid recruitment and retention. Negatives include juggling a mix of…

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For the first time, all hospitals will have to report data on infections to receive their full payment update from Medicare in future years. Data will be collected on 2 types of infection: central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) starting January 1, 2011, for a full payment update in 2013 surgical…

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Earnest Peachy, a perioperative tech, and Shandlee Woodward, a student nurse intern, are removing a trash bag from the scanner. Safety checklists are not the only concept the operating room has gleaned from aviation. Ten years ago, the 26-room OR suite at the Ohio State University (OSU) Medical Center in…

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Surgical patients who take part in a longer discussion of informed consent—15 to 30 minutes—understand their proposed operation better than those who have shorter discussions, according to a report in the June 2010 Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Asking patients to repeat back their understanding of the procedure…

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Evidence indicates extended work hours are a hazard to patients as well as to nurses. Now two nursing professors who have studied nurses' working conditions call for alternatives to 12-hour shifts and urge the profession to rethink their extensive use. "Nurses often prefer working a bunch of 12-hour shifts and…

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In this issue: A nursing professor challenges nurse leaders to seek alternatives to 12-hour shifts, page 15. Read results of OR Manager's online survey on 12-hour shifts, page 17. Twelve-hour shifts are popular. Many nurses like working 3 12-hour days and having 4 days off. The extended shifts also help…

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