ECRI Institute releases free white paper on value analysis
Editor's Note The ECRI Institute on August 23 announced a new free white paper, โValue Analysis: Best Practices for Navigating the Evidence Maze,โ to help value analysis committees bring an objective, systematic approach to the decision-making process for health technologies and interventions. The white paper includes three case studies that…
Public expects physicians, nurses to protect them during active shooting events
Editor's Note Results of a new national survey by the Hartford Consensus about views of the public and healthcare professionals on active shooter events in hospitals show that: 61% of the public and 62% of professionals believe physicians and nurses have a special duty to protect patients during an active…
Joint Commission deletes standard related to performance on ORYX measures
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced August 21 that Standard PI.02.01.03: โThe hospital improves its performance on ORYX accountability measuresโ and the Standard's one Element of Performance: โThe hospital achieves a composite performance rate of at least 85% on the ORYX accountability measures transmitted to the Joint Commissionโ will be…
FDA: Vital Rx, dba Atlantic Pharmacy and Compounding recall all lots of compounded injectable drugs
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 18 announced the recall by Vital Rx, dba Atlantic Pharmacy and Compounding (Pompano Beach, Florida) of all lots of compounded injectable medications because of sterility assurance. During a recent FDA inspection, investigators observed unsanitary conditions, including poor sterile production practices.…
Survey: Surgical volume creeps up amid scramble for new staff
The pace of increased surgical volume has slowed, but continues to trend upward, according to the 2017 annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. The volume of surgical procedures in the past 12 months increased for 43% of respondents, the same as in 2015, but was down from the 51% reported last…
Peer feedback helps promote professionalism in the OR
Behaviors that undermine a culture of safety and respect have long been a concern among healthcare workers and professionals. Such conduct can adversely affect teamwork, clinical outcomes, and trust. In recent years, unprofessional conduct has come under increased scrutiny by the Joint Commission, American Medical Association, AORN, and other professional…
Editorial
This year marks a major milestone for OR Manager: the 30th anniversary of our annual OR Manager Conference. To honor the occasion, we are offering the most robust program content in our history. Attendees will find the latest information on healthcare standards and regulations, cutting-edge technology, and changes in organizational…
OR Manager of the Year driven by passion for patient care
Having a โpatients firstโ philosophy, demonstrating integrity, and inspiring trust through personal leadership are among the accolades attributed to Michael A. Hofmann, BSN, RN, the 2017 OR Manager of the Year. As regional director of perioperative services, Ascension/St Elizabeth Hospital, Fox Valley, in Appleton, Wisconsin, Hofmann oversees three ORs, one…
Ransomware attacks: How to protect your medical device systems
Ransomware is a form of computer malware used to make data, software, and information technology (IT) assets unavailable to users. It uses encryption of data to hold systems hostage with an associated ransom demand, often in Bitcoin (a virtual currency that is difficult to trace). This encryption is used to…
Orthopedic PSH a prime model for value-based care--Part 2
Organizations that have adopted the perioperative surgical home (PSH) model of patient care have reaped the benefits of improved outcomes and a healthier bottom line. In particular, the PSH has a proven track record for colorectal surgery and orthopedic surgery. In part 1 of this two-part series (OR Manager, August…