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February 2018 See the full issue

Planning can relieve 'growing pains' of hospital mergers

Healthcare mergers and acquisitions are becoming as common as add-on cases in the OR, with hospitals struggling to stay profitable in a financially challenging environment. Between 2008 and 2014, the United States had nearly 400 hospital mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with more than 750 hospitals being acquired or merged. “It’s…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
January 19, 2018
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Bullying: From conflict to confrontation to civility in the OR--Part 2

Kermit the frog famously said, “it’s not easy being green.” He longed to be some other color, and OR leaders faced with managing a bully have probably wished they, too, could be someone—or somewhere—else. Using some recommended approaches can help. In Part 2 of this three-part series on bullying, OR…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
January 19, 2018
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Editorial

Uncertainty was the defining characteristic of the healthcare industry in 2017 as regulatory changes were proposed, rejected, revised, or tabled for now. The individual insurance mandate was repealed as part of a year-end tax reform bill—a victory for an administration that favors deregulation, but also a change that is projected…

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By: Elizabeth Wood
January 19, 2018
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Business award caps off a long, successful career

The Best in OR Business Award will be presented to Karlene Power, MSN, BSN, RN, at the 2018 OR Business Management Conference in San Antonio on February 1. Power already has been recognized for her outstanding work at Banner Health in Phoenix, where she is system executive director, perioperative service…

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By: Elizabeth Wood
January 19, 2018
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Visual cues help PACU staff avoid medication errors

Concern about opioid abuse has reached epic proportions in recent months, and healthcare providers have come under increasing pressure to help mitigate the problem. Curbing the tendency to overprescribe pain medications is considered the first, most obvious step, but there are other actions that can also improve patient safety. Nurse…

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By: Judith M. Mathias, MA, RN
January 19, 2018
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New OR nurses excel as champions and preceptors

Tapping incoming or newly graduated OR nurses as champions and preceptors for initiatives works quite well, say some OR leaders. Though less experienced than their peers, these nurses bring to the table up-to-date knowledge, energy, a fresh set of eyes, and comfort with new technology. In turn, making them experts…

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By: Susan London
January 19, 2018
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Top 10 health technology hazards for 2018 named

Medical technology is intended to improve patient care, but even the best technology—if configured, used, or maintained improperly—can lead to problems. Hospitals must regularly examine their hazard control priorities to target the most pressing risks. ECRI Institute’s annual Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report identifies high-priority sources of danger or…

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By: OR Manager
January 19, 2018
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New ASC credential reflects expertise in infection prevention

Licensed healthcare professionals working in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) can now earn a Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist™ (CAIP™) credential to demonstrate their understanding of the skills and knowledge required to fill the role of an infection preventionist (IP) in an ASC. The new certification program can also help IPs working…

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By: Gina Throneberry, MBA, RN, CASC, CNOR
January 19, 2018
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Total joints present increasingly attractive option for ASCs

The migration of total joint replacements for knees and hips from inpatient hospital ORs to hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is spreading. On November 1, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) bolstered the trend when it approved the removal of total knee arthroplasty (TKA)…

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By: Leslie Flowers
January 19, 2018
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Your ASC is for sale--what's next?

Mergers and acquisitions of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have increased recently, as organizations perceive the opportunities provided by growth markets, and ASCs realize the benefits of having access to a larger provider network, such as a pipeline of patients and more power in negotiating with insurers. Those transactions can have…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
January 19, 2018
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