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August 2015 See the full issue

Survey marks 25 years with rise in volume and open positions

After several years of stability, primarily a result of the 2008 economic downturn, there are signs that OR nurses are once again on the move, according to the 25th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. The percentage of respondents reporting an increase in RN open positions compared with 12 months ago…

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By: OR Manager
August 17, 2015
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Learn from hybrid OR experts at annual conference Town Hall

The interactive hybrid OR exhibit that debuted at the 2014 OR Manager Conference will once again be showcased in 2015. The exhibit, featuring an extensive array of products and equipment representing more than 10 companies, will be on display during the annual OR Manager Conference, October 7-9, at the Gaylord…

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By: OR Manager
August 17, 2015
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Editorial

The French proverb, “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” is one way to view the readmission penalties imposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). About a year ago, a Kaiser Health News report said more than 2,600 hospitals in fiscal year 2015 were…

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By: Elizabeth Wood
August 17, 2015
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Find your community within the OR Manager Conference closing session

The annual OR Manager Conference gives OR directors and managers an opportunity to gain wisdom and inspiration while enjoying a change of scene. Regardless of whether they have attended the conference for many years or they are newcomers, it's always an occasion when they can connect with peers who truly…

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By: Elizabeth Wood
August 17, 2015
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Hiding in plain sight: Surgical smoke threatens health of OR staff

Research has shown that electrosurgical smoke presents a serious health hazard for the OR team. However, many remain skeptical of its harmful effects, and compliance with smoke evacuation recommendations is not consistent. Electrosurgical smoke results from the vaporization of tissue, fluid, and blood into a gaseous form by electrosurgical instruments.…

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By: Judith M. Mathias, MA, RN
August 17, 2015
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New AAMI standard for endoscope reprocessing

The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) has published its first standard on flexible endoscope reprocessing. ANSI/AAMI ST91: 2015 Flexible and Semi-rigid Endoscope Processing in Health Care Facilities was developed from research and input from manufacturers of flexible endoscopes, users, consultants, and regulatory bodies. The new standard, which…

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By: OR Manager
August 17, 2015
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Quality reports to determine pay rise or fall

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) that have yet to register and report compliance with quality measures can expect a decrease of 0.9% in 2016 from this year’s Medicare reimbursement rates. Those in compliance, however, may see an increase of approximately 1.1%, depending on specialties. As in the past, the Centers for…

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By: Paula DeJohn
August 17, 2015
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Staffing at most ASCs stays stable despite recruitment challenges

Although ambulatory surgery center (ASC) staff show a slightly greater inclination to change jobs than they did in 2014, staffing remains relatively stable in a market with continued recruitment challenges and slower volume increases, according to the 25th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Nearly one-fourth (24%) of respondents reported an…

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By: OR Manager
August 17, 2015
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Successful recruitment and retention of engaged employees—Part 1

As part of the 25th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey, nearly one-fourth of respondents from ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) reported an increase in the turnover rate for RNs in the past 12 months, and many said they have at least one open position. In the comments section of the survey,…

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By: OR Manager
August 17, 2015
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At A Glance

Distractions detract from OR teamwork Distractions in the OR are associated with higher mental workload and stress and poorer teamwork among OR personnel, a study finds. The most prevalent distractions were those from external staff, followed by case-irrelevant conversations. Case-irrelevant conversations initiated by surgeons were associated with lower teamwork in…

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By: OR Manager
August 1, 2015
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Duodenoscopes and CRE--Reducing the risks

In the dangerous world of hospital-acquired infections, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) patient infections associated with the use of duodenoscopes has proven to be a substantial concern for healthcare facilities and patients. Several large-scale outbreaks in the last year have prompted questions about the safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) endoscopy procedures,…

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By: OR Manager
August 1, 2015
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Video Spotlight
[FREE WEBINAR] Prevention of pathogen transfer via OR table drapes
Latest Issue of OR Manager
September 2025
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About

Presentation on the scientific evidence surrounding the bi-directional penetration of pathogens through OR table drapes.

Objectives:

  • Understand the risk of bi-directional pathogen transfer.
    • Gain awareness of how pathogens can move through OR table drapes and the potential implications for patient and staff safety.
  • Recognize the value of evidence-based practices.
    • Learn why reviewing the latest scientific research on drape performance is critical for informed decision-making in the OR.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen infection prevention strategies.
    • Discover how selecting and using the right OR table drapes can help reduce infection risks and improve surgical outcomes.

Meet the Speaker: 

Robert Garcia, Infection Prevention Consultant

 

 

[FREE WEBINAR] Staffing Success at OHSU: Optimized OR Deployment and 25+ Weekly Hours Reclaimed
Latest Issue of OR Manager
September 2025
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Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) transformed its perioperative operations by implementing AI-driven staffing solutions to address critical challenges across 53 operating rooms. This initiative replaced manual, reactive processes with data-driven approaches that revolutionized how perioperative teams are deployed.

OHSU faced significant operational challenges, including time-consuming manual processes, limited visibility into staff experience, and difficulty optimizing team compositions. With innovative staffing technology, OHSU achieved remarkable improvements:

  • 25+ hours saved weekly in staffing coordination, redirected to patient care
  • 5% improvement in staffed room utilization
  • 30% improvement in cross-training opportunities, enhancing care team consistency

Key Takeaways:

  • AI-powered solutions transform staffing efficiency and redirect valuable time to patient care
  • Data-driven approaches improve team consistency and operational performance
  • Predictive analytics enable proactive staffing decisions, reducing last-minute changes
  • A single source of truth for staff experience improves assignment accuracy
  • Technology supports capacity growth without requiring additional resources

Join us to hear directly from OHSU leadership about their journey, implementation strategies, and the measurable impact on perioperative services. Discover how these solutions can transform your healthcare operations while improving both staff and surgeon satisfaction.

 

Meet the Speakers:

Dio Sumagaysay, RN, MS, Vice President, Perioperative & Multi-specialty Procedural Services, OHSU

Kristen Lund, RN, Director of OR/MSPU Scheduling & Pre-Operative Medicine Clinic, OHSU

Rayna Tuski, Director of Adult Perioperative Services, OHSU

 

 

 

Shane Stubbs, Senior Manager, Client Success, LeanTaaS

[FREE WEBINAR] Leveraging Data Analytics to Negotiate Better Contracts
Latest Issue of OR Manager
September 2025
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The purpose of this webinar is to show how data can be used for both negotiating with commercial payers and with equipment vendors.  We will have representatives from PayrHealth provide an overview of the reimbursement transparency data reports they have available for providers and how they can be utilized when negotiating with commercial payers.  We will also have staff from the Johnson & Johnson MedTech Sourceview team to showcase their database and how it can be used by providers for negotiating with their MedTech vendors. 

Meet the speakers: 

Eric Walker, Associate Director Health Economics and Market Analysis‬‬, Johnson & Johnson MedTech

 

Scott Dewey, Chief Managed Care Officer, PayrHealth

 

 

Scott Bednarke, Senior Manager, Strategic Account Conversions, Johnson & Johnson

 

 

Jackie Wright, C-Suite Level Leader, Large for-profit National Organization

 

 

[FREE WEBINAR] From Quick Wins to Lasting Impact: How Grant Medical Center Boosted OR Utilization and Freed 148,000 Minutes of Surgical Time 
Latest Issue of OR Manager
September 2025
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At OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, the OR is a hub of constant activity—but like many hospitals, valuable minutes were being lost to unused block time, last-minute cancellations, and disconnected scheduling workflows. Instead of accepting those inefficiencies, the team set out to redesign how surgical time was managed. By combining AI-powered tools, structured governance, and a culture shift toward transparency and shared accountability, the team built a system that’s scalable, data-driven, and surgeon-friendly.

In this session, you’ll hear how Grant turned reactive scheduling into a proactive, data-driven system—and how they’re sustaining results over time.


Learn how their team:

  • Increased block utilization by 3% YoY and freed up 18,100 fewer minutes of unused block time
  • Captured 148,000 additional OR minutes since go-live
  • Backfilled 43% of released time with cases from other surgeons
  • Engaged nearly 1,900 surgeons through smarter workflows and improved visibility


This isn’t just about more minutes, it’s about building trust, efficiency, and a system that works better for everyone in the OR.

 

Meet the Speaker: 

 

 

Joel Shaw, MD, is the Vice President of Clinical Affairs at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. With over 24 years of experience in the medical field, he specializes in family medicine and sports medicine. Dr. Shaw has dedicated 16 years to Graduate Medical Education, focusing on developing future physicians through innovative educational tools and executive coaching. His commitment extends to addressing healthcare disparities and improving diversity in medical recruitment and talent sponsorship.

[FREE WEBINAR] Change management during a time of persistent uncertainty
Latest Issue of OR Manager
September 2025
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Join Phyllis S. Quinlan, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, President/CEO of MFW Consultants to Professionals, as she shares her insights on one of the more pressing challenges for leaders in the 21st Century: managing change in the face of persistent uncertainty. Today’s leaders must adopt an agile, flexible mindset to be prepared to address the ever-changing events in today’s world. Change management is an essential skill for any leader in healthcare. However, how do you support a change-weary staff as they try to respond to the need to adjust their practice and modify systems without creating cynicism and weakening morale? This session will provide a frank discussion and present practical approaches to building staff fortitude in an unpredictable, ever-changing industry.

When: Wednesday, August 27, 12:00pm ET 

Learning Objectives:

  • Recognize the importance of understanding the effects of persistent uncertainty and its impact on your staff.
  • Explain why today’s leader needs to adopt a Pioneer Spirit.
  • Construct an outline that features the elements of effective, sustainable Change Management

 

Meet the Speaker: 

Dr. Phyllis Quinlan, PhD, RN, NPD-BC is President of MFW Consultants & a successful nurse entrepreneur. She is a healthcare consultant and has practiced as a Legal Nurse Consultant specializing in defense since 2004. During her nursing career, Phyllis has held positions in clinical, education & administrative positions in a variety of practice venues.

She is a Certified Professional Coach by the International Coaching Federation and is a Fellow of the Institute of Coaching. Phyllis uses the tools of emotional intelligence, applied positive psychology, and character strength building when working with her clients.

[FREE WEBINAR] Implementing a Climate of Safety: Consensus Recommendations for Surgical Gloving
Latest Issue of OR Manager
September 2025
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In 2023, an expert group was established to develop clear guidance on surgical gloving practice from the existing literature. Their goal was to formulate recommendations to improve the safety, protection, and experience of healthcare providers and their patients. The expert panel members were assigned to one of four focus areas: Glove Fit, Double Gloving, Indicator Systems, and Glove Damage and Change Protocol; with each group conducting a systematic review of the evidence.

The 2025 Edition of the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice emphasizes the importance of providing a climate of safety with evidence-based practices. Surgical gloves play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of both patients and practitioners. Efforts continue to establish standardized best gloving practices, supported by evidenced-based recommendations. These standardized guidelines aim to enhance clinical outcomes, improve safety, and support hand health and career longevity.

This program will provide the attendee with an overview of how these two bodies of practice align with current recommendations for practice guidelines on surgical gloving.

 

Learning Objectives: 
  • Discuss the need for a consensus document centered on surgical gloving practices.
  • Describe how appropriate and timely glove changes provide safety for patients and clinicians.
  • Explore options when implementing glove recommendation changes into current practices. 

Speakers: 

Chad Flora BSN, RN, CNOR, is a Clinical Director for the Surgical Glove Business Area at Mölnlycke Health Care. In addition to leading the U.S. Clinical Specialist Team, his responsibilities include clinical education, program development, and assisting with research and development initiatives.

Leah Goldberg MSN, RN, CNOR is the Clinical Nurse OR, Bone and Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital. She works in the operating room at the Bone and Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital and created Acorn Nurse Consulting, LLC to continue her passion for developing knowledge and resources for perioperative staff. She was honored as an AORN Emerging Leader Under 40 in 2012 and 2024. She received AORN’s Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Education: Clinical Award in 2025.

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