Development of surgery-specific second victim peer support program
Editor's Note In this study, researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital, designed, implemented, and assessed the effect of the first surgery-specific peer support program in the US. The program uses five steps: creation of a conceptual framework choice of peer supporters training of peer supporters multifaceted identification of major adverse…
Is your staff ready to manage malignant hyperthermia?
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but life-threatening surgical complication that seems to turn the effects of general anesthesia upside down. Instead of relaxing, muscles become rigid, releasing large amounts of acid and potassium into the blood. Instead of a normal slowing of breathing, respirations quicken, and end-tidal CO2 rises.…
Reinvent and reap the rewards of improved handoffs--Part 1
A care transition poses a danger point for patients—failing to “hand off” needed information from one clinician to another can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The Joint Commission was so concerned about handoffs that in 2017 it issued a sentinel event alert on the topic. “Handoffs are a safety…
Well-crafted handoff tools save valuable time in OR schedule
In 2017, the Joint Commission issued a Sentinel Alert Event on the problem of inadequate handoff communication, focusing attention on this vital aspect of care. (See related story, p 22.) Clinicians and leaders agree that handoffs are important, but implementing them effectively can be challenging, particularly in the fast-paced perioperative…
Impact of shared governance on workplace empowerment over time
Editor's Note In this analysis of measurements (ie, staff’s caring, workplace engagement, and work empowerment) assessed before and after implementation of an interprofessional shared governance model, only work empowerment scores of staff working in relationship-based care professional practice models were sustainable and increased progressively and significantly over time. Work engagement…
Hospital-based care coordination strategies linked to CMS star ratings
Editor's Note Care coordination strategies were found to be associated with high overall hospital quality star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in this study. A total of 710 general acute care noncritical access hospitals that received star ratings and responded to the 2015 American Hospital…
‘Great leaders give direction, not directions’
Editor's Note What is it that only great leaders can do? “Give direction, not directions,” writes Scott Eblin in the November 20 eblingroup.com/blog. Leaders need to set a “commander’s intent” that gives team members a clear sense of why a task is important, what it will result in, and where…
Knowing yourself is key to being a leader
Editor's Note To lead others, managers must first know how to lead themselves, writes Laurie Ruettimann in the November 17 laurieruettimann.com. Leadership is only possible after managers know what they stand for, where they come from, what they intend to do, and how they actually act, Ruettimann says. Self-leadership is…
Daily Tiered Huddles help prioritize and resolve OR problems
When you have a problem, are you empowered to solve it? What happens when staff encounter an obstacle? Cleveland Clinic’s Tiered Huddle process empowers all caregivers to see problems and tackle issues on their own or escalate them for assistance. The tiered huddles have energized teams to work across the…
Supportive leaders boost staying power of nursing staff--Part 2
Retaining well-performing staff reduces the amount of resources, particularly time and money, that OR leaders need to spend on recruiting and training new employees. Part 1 of this two-part series provided an overview of retention issues and discussed the importance of the leader’s role and a positive work culture (OR…
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