Digital transformation and its impact on OR utilization
Over my 40-year career—after starting at the bedside in surgical intensive care, moving to emergency medicine, and then to perioperative services—I have been fortunate to progress into executive leadership positions in academic medical center health systems and community hospitals, consult with a top global advisory firm, and now work in…
Other requirements for processing electrosurgical instruments
The use of electrosurgical instrumentation is common in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, while these instruments are common, processing them is complex and time-consuming. Insulated electrosurgical instrumentation can cause patient harm, including an electrical burn, if there is a breach in the insulation. These instruments are designed to have an…
Strategies for preparing and surviving a CMS survey
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) develops conditions of participation (CoPs) and Conditions for Coverage (CfCs) that healthcare organizations must meet in order to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. Payers, including government payers, require facility certification or accreditation for reimbursement. “Reimbursement is the critical piece,” says Becky…
Effect of COVID-19 added stress on infection preventionists’ wellbeing
Editor's Note This study from Ohio State University researchers finds that infection preventionists (IPs) who worked shorter shifts and had more organizational wellness support had better wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 926 IPs responded to a survey of Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)…
ASA updates preop fasting guidelines
Editor's Note The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has updated its 2017 guidelines for preoperative fasting and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. The new 2023 guidance focuses on topics not addressed in the previous guideline, including ingestion of carbohydrate-containing clear liquids with or…
ECRI launches new video series featuring insights from its experts
Editor's Note ECRI on January 11 announced that it is launching a new monthly video series featuring healthcare insights from its experts. Each episode will include topics of relevance to healthcare leaders, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, patient safety and risk management professionals, supply chain leaders, and biomedical engineers. The first…
Listen to this topic discussion: Negotiating Contracts with Anesthesia
Listen to this! OR Manager recently teamed up with First Case, the operating room podcast, for an episode of “Articles On-The-Go,” where First Case covered an article from OR Manager, Negotiating Contracts with Anesthesia. Tune in for great insights into negotiating anesthesia contracts, find out what successful negotiation means, and…
Effect of bioburden reduction intervention on ICU nurses’ mobile phones
Editor's Note This study led by nurse researchers at the School of Health Professions, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, finds that a disinfection routine measurably reduced surface contamination on mobile phones of ICU nurses. Surface bioburden of personal mobile phones and shared phones of 30 ICU nurses was estimated with…
New publications from the The Joint Commission target maternal health
Editor's Note The Joint Commission, on January 17, announced the publication of two new resources to help reduce mortality and morbidity in pregnant and postpartum patients. Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 66: Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities causing mortality and morbidity in pregnant and postpartum patients—emphasizes the effects of social determinants…
Trinity Health to roll out virtual nursing program
Editor's Note Michigan-based health system, Trinity Health, will roll out virtual nurses at its hospitals in the state, and eventually, at its 88 hospitals across the nation, reports January 13 Becker’s Hospital Review. After a successful pilot project at Trinity Health Oakland, the Virtual Connected Care Program will ideally be…