FDA approves imaging drug for detecting cancer after lumpectomy
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lumisight (pegulicianine), a fluorescent imaging drug used to detect cancerous tissue during lumpectomy, on April 17. Administered intravenously prior to surgery, Lumisight is designed for use with the Lumicell Direct Visualization System (DVS) or another imaging device that is FDA-approved…
Penn Medicine anesthesia, waste initiatives boost OR sustainability
Editor's Note Penn Medicine has made significant strides in reducing the environmental footprint of the OR through department- and team-level initiatives, according to a March 29 report in Penn Medicine news. Driven by CIRCE: Medicine, a faculty group consisting of providers from Penn Medicine and Childrenโs Hospital of Philadelphia, examples…
Editorial: Perioperative leaders push teamwork, communication at 2024 AORN Expo
Left sniffling and sneezing after a whirlwind 4 days at my first AORN Global Surgical Conference and Expo in Nashville, Tennessee, I had more on my mind than whether the term โconference-acquired infection (CAI)โ was officially part of the medical nomenclature, much less whether any studies had been done. I…
Surface disinfection: How to play your cards right with UVC light
Approximately one in 31 hospital patients has at least one infection on any given day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In surgical settings, the risk is even higher, with up to 7% of patients developing an infection during surgery. These infections can lead to a…
Unveiling ECRI’s 2024 Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns list
From integrating new technology to navigating shifts in care delivery and mitigating burnout, the most pressing challenges for healthcare organizations tend to be multifaceted problems that demand multifaceted solutions. For evidence of that, look no further than the Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns 2024 list from ECRI. For every risk…
ASC staffing woes persist in era of increased surgical volume
The past 10 years of data from the OR Manager Salary/Career Survey reflects many challenges in the healthcare environment, particularly those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. ASC leader respondents report that staffing difficulties have become particularly challenging. For example, only 15% of respondents to the 2014 survey reported increased RN…
Recognize, report, prevent: Building accountability for workplace violence
Anyone doubting the prevalence of workplace violence (WPV) in the healthcare setting need only search online for โinjuries to healthcare workers.โ In a sector rife with occupational hazardsโfrom slips and falls to sharps injuries and infectionsโa significant portion of the links are sure to mention WPV, with many even focusing…
Managing challenging employees: When to let go
TAKEAWAYS โข HR should be involved early in the disciplinary process to help guide OR leadersโ decision-making throughout disciplinary and/or remediatoin processes. โข Timing, privacy, opportunities for employee feedback, and an empathetic approach are among the most important considerations for a final termination meeting. โข Whatever the process for communicating…
Managing challenging employees: How to help
TAKEAWAYS โข Addressing an employee with a competency or behavior issue is important for the well-being of staff and managers. โข Determining the reason for the issue is an important first step to resolving it. โข Sources of support for managers include colleagues, human resources, and educators. In todayโs perioperative…
Survey assesses continued impact of Change Healthcare cyberattack
Editor's Note Fallout from the February 21 cyberattack on Change Healthcare continues to threaten physician practices and their patients nationwide, with respondents to a recent American Medical Association (AMA) survey indicating difficulties with insurance claims and eligibility verification. AMA published the results of the informal survey April 10. Conducted March…