Study: Improved OR design reduces surgery time, enhances efficiency
Editor's Note Better-designed ORs can lead to shorter orthopedic surgery times and fewer disruptions, according to a recent study in Health Environments Research & Design. Conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas, the study observed 70 unilateral total knee and hip replacement surgeries in two differently designed ORs at…
Healthcare employment up in September
Editor's Note Healthcare employment in the US rose by 45,000 from September to October, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), released October 4. That is compared to an overall monthly gain of 254,000 in August and below the average monthly gain of 57,000 over…
Health systems face declining margins, cut leadership amid rising costs
Editor's Note Four consecutive months of reduced health system margins have resulted in significant layoffs and restructuring in top leadership, Becker’s Hospital Review reported September 30. According to the article, which cites Strata Decision Technology's August Healthcare Industry Financial Benchmarks report, average health system margins fell to 1.9% in August,…
Countdown to OR Manager Conference: Protect your workplace from violence—How to build a safe environment
Editor's Note Beth Chrismer, MSN, RN, CPHRM, former director of clinical excellence at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System, shared insights into a tragic workplace violence incident that occurred in 2013 at a Texas ambulatory surgery center (ASC) at last year’s OR Manager Conference. Chrismer was risk manager at the time…
Why nurse travelers are more friends than foes
Many are quick to blame travelers for the poor state of hospital finances. However, isn’t there a difference between a traveler in the OR—an interim staff member in the hospital’s profit center—and an interim RN in an area financially supported by OR profits? What about the argument that travelers can…
On-demand staffing reduces costs, boosts efficiency
For many healthcare facilities, operational costs are steadily rising, and no clearcut solution is in sight. However, some hospital systems are gradually reclaiming control over their budgets by finding ways to stabilize their finances and improve workforce morale. During the pandemic, many hospitals turned to short-term contract labor as a…
Survey: Job satisfaction, earnings trend positive
Takeaways • OR leaders’ satisfaction with many work factors has increased significantly. • Financial compensation has improved slightly for many leaders. • OR leaders supervise more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees than last year. OR leaders are more satisfied in their work compared to a year ago, and their earnings have…
Exciting changes at OR Manager coming in 2025
As perioperative nurse leaders, you are no strangers to change. Healthcare is constantly evolving, and with it, so are the demands on surgical teams and leadership. At OR Manager, we are committed to growing alongside you. As a trusted source for operational and business insights, our role is to adapt…
Survey: Satisfaction up, compensation stable for ASC leaders
ASC leaders’ satisfaction has increased significantly compared to a year ago, according to the 2024 OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. In all, 81% of respondents were satisfied with their current job/position, up from 70% in 2023, and 27% reported being “completely satisfied,” compared to 17% last year. In fact, the favorable…
Traveler tightrope: OR leaders balance best practices, reduction strategies
Takeaways Providers are generally seeking to reduce use of travelers through strategies such as float pools, training programs, and cultural reforms. However, travelers remain useful as a bridge to permanent staff and for difficult-to-fill positions. Best practices for selection, onboarding, team integration, and performance evaluation are essential for maximizing return…