Editor's Note The “July Effect”−the idea that more errors occur in July because of the influx of new interns and residents starting their in-hospital training−does not apply to cardiac surgery, this study finds. For more than 470,000 cardiac procedures analyzed (coronary bypass, aortic valve, mitral valve, thoracic aortic aneurysm), in-hospital…

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Many OR managers have likely experienced bullying, incivility, or lateral violence at some point in their careers. For newer and more seasoned managers alike, advice for handling difficult people is always welcome, and attendees at the 2019 OR Manager Conference in New Orleans will gain some valuable insights from Barbara…

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Editor's Note The development and retention of Millennial nurse managers is shaped by understanding the support variables that are important to them, this study finds. Interviews of a national sample of 25 Millennial nurse managers found they have a unique perspective on role expectations and support. Seven themes emerged: coming…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on July 15 issued “Quick Safety 50 Developing resilience to combat nurse burnout.” Research indicates that resilience does more than prevent burnout, it fosters resources to combat workplace challenges. Resilience has several components, including: The ability to adapt in the face of adversity or significant…

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Editor's Note Leaders who sponsor other people in the workplace (ie, have a protégé) experience career benefits in the form of promotions or stretch assignments, the June 17 Harvard Business Review reports. A survey conducted for the book, “The Sponsor Effect: How to Be a Better Leader by Investing in…

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Editor's Note Patients whose surgeons had more coworker reports about unprofessional behavior in the 36 months before their surgical procedures had a significantly increased risk of complications, this study finds. In this analysis of 13,653 patients having surgical procedures performed by 202 surgeons in two academic medical centers, 1,583 (11.6%)…

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The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2019 Hospital Safety Grade Report shows some progress in patient safety: an estimated 160,000 avoidable deaths nationwide, down from 205,000 in 2016. But 160,000 is a large number. “There’s still a lot of needless death and harm in American hospitals,” says Leah Binder, Leapfrog’s president and…

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Psychologists and social scientists developed the concept of emotional intelligence decades ago, and research since then has supported it as a key component of leadership success. “Thirty plus years’ worth of research shows that having leadership skills is not enough to be an effective leader,” says Kandi Wiens, EdD, MBA.…

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OR leaders spend much of their day ensuring the surgery schedule runs smoothly, a task that depends on the teams within each of the ORs. Highly functioning teams produce optimal results, including good patient outcomes, satisfied surgeons, and efficient use of resources. But developing a highly functional team with good…

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Labor is the most important resource in an OR and must be used effectively to maintain the financial health of an organization and the well-being of patients. “OR leaders need data tools to manage their labor dollars. How do you know if you are doing it well?” asks Sharon Ulep,…

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