Your People and Teams 
This Pride Month, we are reminded of the power of visibility, voice, and belonging—and how far we still have to go. As we take part in the celebrations happening this month, it is worth revisiting this February 2023 OR Manager article, titled “Building leadership diversity” and authored by Cynthia Saver,…
Vaccine health has been dominating the news amid ongoing measles and whooping cough outbreaks and high influenza activity last season. It is also on the minds of The Joint Commission surveyors, as the organization has updated infection control standards that took effect in July 2024 for hospitals and critical access…
The wave of new legal requirements for surgical smoke evacuation across the country has given OR leaders a crash course in how to act on any new legislation. Based on this experience, complying with other new and pending laws will put these skills to the test. Major hurdles are likely…
Every day, I come across postings in the media suggesting that nurses are struggling with burnout. These accusations are tone deaf and misleading. In addition to my private coaching practice, I am the professional internal coach for a trauma center in the Greater New York area and several professional nursing…
Takeaways • Credibility and trust are intertwined. • Keeping a covenant with staff, cultivating executive presence, and building relationships help establish credibility. • Situations that pose challenges to building credibility include the first leadership role and leading in areas where the new manager lacks expertise. Whether it is a first-time…
Takeaways • US surgeons have no mandated retirement age. According to the Aging Surgeon Program, “a patient death or serious negative event are currently the only things that prompt action to prevent a surgeon from practicing.” • Research on aging-related decline is clear, but nuanced, showing rates and scope vary…
Patient safety and regulatory compliance demand thoroughly vetting those tasked with preventing healthcare-associated infections. But which certification is the right fit? Those who are new to infection control have a wide range of options for verifying their newly acquired expertise. More seasoned infection preventionists (IPs) also have a number of…
Why reflect on the past? Reflection anchors strategy and revitalizes purpose. Since the start of the year, the economy has been unstable, regulations have been in flux, and the livelihood of many is being put through grueling tests. But reflecting on the triumphs of past years shows that under the…
In the OR, precision and focus can mean the difference between life and death. However, surgical patient outcomes hinge on more than the competence of those working in these inherently intense environments. Every procedure also depends on the laborious, behind-the-scenes efforts of the people responsible for ensuring every surgical instrument…
Takeaways • HR dashboards facilitate tracking key performance indicators related to recruitment, retention, and staffing needs. • HR dashboard data facilitate planning for current operations as well as new endeavors. • Elements of a successful HR dashboard include capability to determine users’ needs, to filter data in multiple ways, and…
