Systems for managing electronic hospital records (EHR) are critical for recording, storing, and protecting patient data, but these systems fall short in situations where real-time data is needed, such as in the surgical department. Relying on time-consuming data entry by busy OR staff, EHR systems alone simply cannot capture…

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Takeaways One of the lessons learned when it comes to data was to make sure you do it right the first time. A big drive for standardization was to leverage the distribution center to send excess inventory that some sites had to sites that needed them. Another drive was the…

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Takeaways Rural hospital purchases by larger health systems should improve access to surgical treatment in remote areas, but some acquisitions have resulted in decreased care quality and reduced access to services, as shown by recent examples. Despite challenges, rural hospital acquisitions can lead to expanded services, enhanced perioperative support, and…

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Access to quality care in rural areas has been making headlines since the pandemic began. The issue of ensuring appropriate access to services in rural and community hospitals is not a new concern. But with the unprecedented number of shutdowns—not only of certain departments and service lines but also total…

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In April, the long-awaited results of the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey (Workforce Survey) were released. For researchers and academics with an interest in nursing workforce and professional development data, this report is a treasure trove of information as “the only continuous national, randomized survey of this size.” This version…

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While demand for OR services can be unpredictable, supply is largely fixed—well below the baseline for many hospitals and health systems. The ability to match supply and demand within perioperative services is critical to efficient ORs, as hospitals and health systems must operate with constrained staffing and anesthesia resources. On…

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Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) presents a challenge to anesthesiologists and surgeons alike in the OR. Clinicians often do not know how to identify and treat this condition, and it can go undetected for years. “I think the reason many anesthesiologists, even pain specialists, aren’t well versed or aware of MALS…

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With healthcare costs continuing to rise, hospitals, payers, and patients are looking for different venues for care and ways to cut costs while maintaining quality and safety. As more surgical procedures are safely performed in outpatient settings, more ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are being built or restructured. Partnerships between hospitals…

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