Infections spur new guidelines for endoscope reprocessing
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 17 published a final guidance on reprocessing reusable medical devices. This guidance, which provides manufacturers with recommendations to validate their reprocessing instructions, comes on the heels of a host of “superbug” bacteria outbreaks related to reprocessing of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) duodenoscopes.…
Step-by-step approach helps reduce specimen errors in the OR
The number of specimens that are mishandled on a nationwide basis is difficult to know, but even one such incident is too much for any patient who is affected. “If a specimen is placed in a fixative and it wasn’t supposed to be, additional testing may be compromised,” says Ann…
Editorial
Enhanced recovery protocols aren’t a new concept, but new data linking them with better outcomes in colorectal surgery patients suggest they’re worth considering—and perhaps should be more widely adopted. In a study published online in January in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)…
Research projects potential cost savings with wider use of MIS
Though minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is associated with lower postoperative complication rates, little is known about the cost savings resulting from the reduced rates. Researchers led by Martin Makary, MD, professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, designed a study to calculate the projected cost savings…
Shared governance teaches staff to take ownership of decision making
Certain words and phrases are used frequently in nursing—sometimes so frequently that their true meaning is lost. For some, the term “shared governance” is one of those. What is shared governance? “A dynamic staff-leader partnership that promotes collaboration, shared decision making, and accountability for improving quality of care, safety, and…
Making the most of operational performance dashboards
Most hospitals use some form of performance dashboard to communicate with surgeons and hospital senior leadership. The dashboard is intended to show the efficiency of processes within the surgical suite. However, to be truly effective, the dashboard must provide accurate, reliable, and useful information. Does your dashboard do what you…
Master five key concepts to sharpen financial management skills
Most OR leaders are talented nurses who have risen through the ranks. They have strong clinical expertise but usually little background in financial management. And only about a third of OR directors have a business manager on staff. Recently, senior leaders at Surgical Directions discussed the question, “What financial concepts…
Help is available for managing pharmaceutical waste safely and legally
Like all healthcare facilities, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) generate medical waste. Some of that waste is well known to be hazardous, such as blood, tissue, or used needles and syringes. Another type of waste is leftover medication, which is subject to its own regulations and disposal practices. Compliance is a…
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- Drug shortages higher than ever
- FDA announces class 1 recalls for premixed embolic, infusion pump software
- Academic medical centers identify performance-improvement priorities
- Propofol anesthesia for colonoscopy could help find polyps, prevent cancer
- FDA Class 1 recall renews concern about historically problematic heart pumps
- New physician compensation report reveals modest pay gains but growing discontent with the profession
- Surge in corporate ownership of medical practices raises concerns over physician autonomy, care quality
- How Minneapolis healthcare real estate remained strong amid challenges, shifts in patient care preferences: Lessons for other states
- Artificial intelligence (AI) captures uncertainty in medical scans