OR leaders face tightened budgets, loss of benefits in wake of recession OR leaders say the economic downturn has hit surgical services, according to results of the 19th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of OR managers and directors have been asked to cut their annual operating budget…

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ASCs: A third feel the economic pinch Though many managers of ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) report their facilities are feeling the pinch from the economic downturn, salaries are stable or slightly higher than 2008, according to results of the 19th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Respondents to ASC survey Region…

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Procedures requiring sterilized or high-level-disinfected instruments are performed daily in a variety of settings—hospitals, freestanding and hospital-affiliated ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), physicians' offices, clinics, endoscopy suites, and dental facilities. Accreditation surveyors are looking closely at reprocessing in these facilities. Medicare's new ASC interpretive guidelines for surveyors issued in May 2009…

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Creating a culture where patient safety is valued as the top priority by all and fostering an atmosphere of open dialogue. Those are twin passions of Elena Canacari, RN, CNOR, this year's OR Manager of the Year. Elena Canacari, RN, CNOR For 6 years, Canacari has been director of perioperative…

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The Joint Commission released its revised Universal Protocol for surgical site verification September 9, 2009, along with changes to the National Patient Safety Goals. No new safety goals are being issued for 2010. Instead, the commission spent this year reviewing and revising the 2009 goals. Some changes are effective immediately;…

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The government and health care system are gearing up for an outbreak this fall of the H1N1 virus in addition to seasonal flu. Officials offered advice in an August 20, 2009 call hosted by the Department of Health and Human Services. Health care workers are among 5 initial target groups…

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Hospital finances rebounded in the first quarter of 2009, according to one source. Thomson Reuters data reported in August 2009 found total margins were up. About 30% of hospitals were in the red, which though still bad, was a big improvement from 50% in the third quarter of 2008. The…

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Infection control in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is under the microscope. The Department of Health and Human Services announced in July 2009 it is funding infection control surveys in more than 125 ASCs in 12 states by September 30, 2009. Additional funds were coming in October. Surveyors will be armed…

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