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Rounding tool off to a good start in improving patient satisfaction

A mobile, web-based rounding tool is allowing the perioperative leadership team at Vail Valley Medical Center (VVMC) in Vail, Colorado, to collect, analyze, and report on information gathered from surgeons, staff, and patients to improve quality of care and move toward high reliability. Software designed by MyRounding Solutions in Littleton,…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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Team participation and planning produce quality handoffs

After a poor handoff from the OR to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) was identified as the culprit behind a serious adverse event, Nancy Robinson, DNP, MSN, RN, LHRM, CCM, made it her mission to avoid a recurrence. “I’m passionate about safe patient hand-offs,” says Robinson. “I didn’t want this…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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Editorial

Efforts to increase patient safety have been successful in some areas, but less so in others—notably, postoperative outcomes—according to a recent study. Researchers who analyzed Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System data for the period 2005 through 2011 found declines in adverse event rates for patients hospitalized because of acute myocardial…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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Sleep apnea tied to higher risk of postoperative complications, greater use of hospital resources

Obstructive sleep apnea is a major clinical and economic challenge in the postoperative period, affecting up to one-fourth of patients undergoing elective surgical procedures. The prevalence among orthopedic patients having joint arthroplasty may be especially high because obesity is a widespread comorbidity in this patient population. Obesity is 1 of…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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Tracking tool streamlines scheduling, enhances communication with surgeons' offices

Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend in Springfield, Oregon, began OR optimization efforts soon after moving to a new facility in August 2008. Because of the US economic downturn around that same time, the hospital launched several initiatives to make the most of available resources, including a Lean process to improve…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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Improving instrument readiness cuts case delays, boosts surgeon satisfaction

Surgical case delays have been found to last an average of nearly 17 minutes. Not only do such delays make surgeons dissatisfied, they also reduce case volume and related revenues, and they may lead to additional time under anesthesia for patients. The root causes of instrument-based delays are seldom simple,…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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Are you correctly using rigid sterilization containers for IUSS?

Although immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) is a safe method to sterilize emergently contaminated instruments, inappropriate use may lead to an increased risk for surgical site infection, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control. This study stated the only acceptable indicator for use of IUSS based on…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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Changes in nurses' pay structure solve staffing and scheduling problems

Many OR directors struggle with designing effective nurse compensation systems. The ideal system would achieve department goals while maintaining nurse satisfaction. Unfortunately, a compensation plan that links these 2 objectives is often elusive. In 2012, OR leadership at a small Pennsylvania hospital developed a compensation system that effectively aligns nursing…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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Decisions, decisions: Should you outsource coding to comply with ICD-10?

The primary function of an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is simple and easily described: to perform surgery for which patients can be discharged within 24 hours, to do this efficiently, safely, and cost effectively, and to collect adequate, timely payment. The path to achieving these results is not so simple.…

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By: OR Manager
February 20, 2014
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