Two hospitals, both recognized nationally for their strong performance on patient outcome and financial measures, describe their approaches to OR governance. Leadership triad provides a strong base for safety Regions Hospital St Paul, Minnesota Level 1 trauma center with 17 ORs and an ambulatory surgery center As Regions Hospital moved…

Read More

The anesthesiologist switches the patient from the ventilator to the cardiopulmonary bypass machine but forgets to resume ventilation after the patient is removed from bypass. The possible results? Longer surgery time, permanent brain damage, or even death. This isn't an uncommon error. A simple "smart system" would give a warning…

Read More

Though morbidity and mortality differences based on age might be expected, the degree of difference is staggering. Perioperative morbidity in older patients can be as high as twice that of younger patients, and mortality can be 3 to 7 times higher, finds a study in the Archives of Surgery. Another…

Read More

How to charge for OR supplies is a frequent question OR business managers ask. In this column, Keith Siddel, MBA, an expert on health care business operations, responds to questions about supply packs and billing for endovascular procedures. The questions were posed by members of OR Manager's OR Business Management…

Read More

Privileging (HR.02.01.03) was the toughest standard to meet for Joint Commission-accredited ambulatory care centers in the first half of 2009, with 45% of facilities surveyed out of compliance. Accreditation expert John Rosing, MHA, FACHE, comments on the elements of performance (EPs) that caused the most compliance difficulty. Rosing is with…

Read More

Staying on top of credentialing and privileging requirements in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is a daunting task. Credentialing applications need to be tracked; licensure, education, and other qualifications verified; databases checked for suspensions and any other adverse actions; and reappointments followed up. ASC leaders know accreditation surveyors expect all…

Read More

An orthopedic service line has seen its volume rise and complications and costs go down since its surgical services director and chief of orthopedic surgery took the helm. Together, they have found they can drive change. It's an example of new types of collaborative arrangements hospitals are exploring with physicians.…

Read More

An orthopedic service line has seen its volume rise and complications and costs go down since its surgical services director and chief of orthopedic surgery took the helm. Together, they have found they can drive change. It's an example of new types of collaborative arrangements hospitals are exploring with physicians.…

Read More