The Joint Commission, ACOG announce Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care
Editor's Note The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), announced on October 20 the launch of Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care (ACPC). ACPC incorporates the latest research, evidence-based practices, and guidance to help improve quality and safety for pregnant or postpartum patients and…
Evaluating essential surgery during COVID-19
Editor's Note This study led by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, examines the World Bank Disease Control Prioritiesโ 44 essential surgical procedures, which are a starting point for health care systems in low- and middle-income countries, and analyzes whether the list should be expanded for nations with more…
FDA: Philips Respironics recalls certain BiPAP, CPAP masks
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 19 identified the recall by Philips Respironics of certain masks for BiPAP and CPAP machines as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because magnetic headgear clips that hold the masks in place can cause injury or death…
Save the Date: OR Manager Conference 2023, call for proposals
Editor's Note For those who were unable to join us in Denver, Colorado, for the 2022 OR Manager Conference, each session has been recorded and will be available for purchase and to earn CE credits online. Attendees of the conference receive complimentary access to all recorded sessions. Stay tuned for…
White House releases strategy to improve preparedness for future biological threats
Editor's Note On October 18, the White House released the โNational Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan for Countering Biological Threats, Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness, and Achieving Global Health Securityโ (the strategy), Becker's Hospital Review October 19 reports. The strategy includes the objective to create enough vaccines for the US population within…
Study: Manually cleaning medical instruments increases contamination exposure
Editor's Note The American Journal of Infection Control published a study on October 13 showing the risks of manually cleaning medical equipment, Healthcare Purchasing News October 14 reports. The study emphasizes the importance of proper procedures and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce risk of contamination. The…
Session: ASC Leadership Roundtable Panel, Ask the Experts
Editor's Note The last day of the OR Manager Conference saw perhaps its most inventive breakout session yet. The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leadership roundtable panel led attendees through an education-filled hour marked by games, interaction, and trivia. โTechnology is the way of the future, it is here, and we…
Session: Elements for Establishing Operational Excellence in Robotics
Editor's Notes Sherry Rogers, director of robotics at Emory Healthcare, identified key elements for establishing operational excellence in robotic surgery during this breakout session on the last day of the conference. Rogers noted the practices and procedures she and her colleagues apply to Emoryโs robotics program that have helped them…
Keynote: Culture CPR, Administer Immediately to Survive the Great Resignation
Editor's Noteย Jeff Whitehorn, LFACHE, ACC, founder of Whitehorn Coaching and Consulting, concluded the OR Manager Conference on Wednesday, October 19, by discussing culture CPRโthe acronym which, as he explained, stands for Celebration, Passion, and Recognitionโas well as best practices for successfully retaining staff. Healthcare lost 20% of its workforce,…
Session: Proper Tactics to Prepare for a DEA Inspection
Editor's Note โIs your OR ready for a DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] inspection?โ was the question Dennis Wichern, MBA, partner at Prescription Drug Consulting, asked attendees of this breakout session. As a retired DEA agent, Wichern discussed the ways the DEA has been involved in the medical field, specifically pertaining…