Just culture has become a bit of a buzzword, so it’s worth revisiting what the term truly means and how it can be implemented and sustained. Although it’s a powerful tool for improving patient safety, just culture is effective only when leaders set expectations for processes and behavior, and address…

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More than 1,350 perioperative nurse leaders from across the US and other countries gathered in Orlando, Florida, October 2-4 for the 30th annual OR Manager Conference. The celebration of this milestone anniversary coincided with the inaugural postanesthesia care unit (PACU) Manager Summit, which brought together more than 250 leaders. Many…

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The leadership gap expected to occur when Baby Boomers retire leaves many OR managers worried about succession planning. About 40% of respondents to the annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey plan to retire between now and 2026. By 2020, about half of all nurses will be Millennials, according to the literature.…

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The makeup of the nursing workforce, specifically the aging of that group, has been the subject of numerous publications and presentations in the last decade. Many have made dire predictions that a shortfall of nurses will likely occur in the near future, but a nationwide scarcity of severe impact has…

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Editor's Note In this study, a half-day faculty development course designed to equip surgical educators with frameworks shown to promote learning in the OR helped faculty members deliver improved instruction as perceived by surgical residents. A total of 19 faculty members completed the course. Associate professors demonstrated improved briefing, debriefing,…

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Editor's Note The perception of safety of surgical practice among OR personnel was associated with hospital level 30-day postoperative patient mortality rates in this study. As part of the Safe Surgery 2015: South Carolina initiative, a baseline survey measuring perception of safety of surgical practice among OR personnel was completed.…

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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…

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Having a “patients first” 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…

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Generational diversity issues in the workplace have never been more present or more complex. As many as six generations are now working side by side, and a great generational shift is underway. At one end of the spectrum, the workforce is aging, while at the other end, it is getting…

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Anyone who heard Vicki Hess, MS, RN, CSP, speak at the annual OR Manager Conference in 2013 probably remembers her lively, compelling message in the closing keynote presentation. Her interactive “Time Out!” talk left attendees with renewed energy and a take-home tool—a simple five-step “SHIFT” checklist to help OR managers…

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