How to build ownership and flexibility in periop teams

Editor's Note

The leadership mindset required in a rural surgical setting can provide skills to grow efficiency and case volume in all settings, according to insights from a chief nursing officer working at a regional heath hospital in the small city. He shared his insights in a November 12 blog post in AORN’s Periop Life as a preview to upcoming education he’ll be presenting at AORN.

One major challenge in a rural care surgical setting is providing an optimal patient experience with a lean staff. The CNO shared these four strategies in the blog post to build ownership and flexibility with limited staff, per the blog post.

*Focus on building skill-mix flexibility rather than fixed assignments. And cross train across multiple service lines.
*Refine the structure of morning huddles to plan for the day and hold midday micro-huddles to regroup when things change.
*Create a sense of ownership among care teams buy connecting practices with safety outcomes of patients served.
*Be smart with resources by addressing instrument needs proactively and looking ahead to match growth with capacity.