The pace of increased surgical volume has slowed, but continues to trend upward, according to the 2017 annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. The volume of surgical procedures in the past 12 months increased for 43% of respondents, the same as in 2015, but was down from the 51% reported last…

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Behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and respect have long been a concern among healthcare workers and professionals. Such conduct can adversely affect teamwork, clinical outcomes, and trust. In recent years, unprofessional conduct has come under increased scrutiny by the Joint Commission, American Medical Association, AORN, and other professional…

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This year marks a major milestone for OR Manager: the 30th anniversary of our annual OR Manager Conference. To honor the occasion, we are offering the most robust program content in our history. Attendees will find the latest information on healthcare standards and regulations, cutting-edge technology, and changes in organizational…

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Having a “patients first” philosophy, demonstrating integrity, and inspiring trust through personal leadership are among the accolades attributed to Michael A. Hofmann, BSN, RN, the 2017 OR Manager of the Year. As regional director of perioperative services, Ascension/St Elizabeth Hospital, Fox Valley, in Appleton, Wisconsin, Hofmann oversees three ORs, one…

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Ransomware is a form of computer malware used to make data, software, and information technology (IT) assets unavailable to users. It uses encryption of data to hold systems hostage with an associated ransom demand, often in Bitcoin (a virtual currency that is difficult to trace). This encryption is used to…

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Organizations that have adopted the perioperative surgical home (PSH) model of patient care have reaped the benefits of improved outcomes and a healthier bottom line. In particular, the PSH has a proven track record for colorectal surgery and orthopedic surgery. In part 1 of this two-part series (OR Manager, August…

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Perioperative services that implement the TeamSTEPPS program—Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety—can see a range of benefits such as a better reporting culture, improved operational efficiency, and increased staff satisfaction, suggest emerging data presented in recent webinars and at a national conference. TeamSTEPPS was jointly developed…

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Hiring experienced staff remains a challenge for leaders in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) even as many organizations increase case volume and specialties, according to the 2017 annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. More than two-thirds (67%) of respondents said that recruiting experienced RNs had become more difficult in the past 12…

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Imagine this scenario in your ambulatory surgery center (ASC): A husband and wife in their early 80s arrive for the husband’s knee replacement surgery. His wife will drive him home after surgery, and their daughter will arrive from out of state the next day to help at home while he…

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