Winning converts to SUD reprocessing
Reprocessing of single-use devices is now mainstream, with an estimated 70% of US hospitals using single-use devices reprocessed by third-party companies, according to industry figures. In an opinion piece in the March 2010 Academic Medicine, authors from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine call reprocessing a "common sense strategy"…
Spinal implant costs decline modestly
Over the 8 years from 2001 to 2009, the cost of a lumbar spinal fusion with implants rose from under $6,000 to over $14,000 per case, with a small decline of 2% between 2008 and 2009. This was the second year in a row that the implant cost per case…
Eight steps curb postop pneumonia in pilot study
A pilot pneumonia prevention program significantly reduced postoperative pneumonia in a hospital postsurgical unit. "Postoperative pneumonia is a problem facilities face continually, but our research shows simple steps in prevention can have a substantial effect," says Sherry Wren, MD, FACS, chief of general surgery at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Palo…
OR governance builds a strong foundation
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…
Integrating devices for patient safety
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…
High complication rate in older adults calls for well-planned care
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…
How do we charge for OR supply packs?
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…
Joint Commission's toughest elements
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…
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- Cleveland Clinic Florida- HPB/General Surgery opportunity in Port St. Lucie, FL! - Cleveland Clinic - Port St. Lucie, FL
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