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October 2018 See the full issue

OR leader job satisfaction high despite volatile industry

A steady stream of changes and upheaval, ranging from increased use of bundled payments for reimbursement to the pressure of filling open positions with qualified staff, are affecting OR managers’ ability to be successful. Despite the challenges, more than two-thirds (67%) are satisfied with their jobs or positions, according to…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
September 20, 2018
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California fires threaten safety of OR staff

On Monday, July 23, a trailer blew a tire at the intersection of Highway 299 and Carr Powerhouse Road in the Whiskeytown district of Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area in Northern California. As the driver tried to stop, the wheel’s rim scraped against the asphalt and threw some sparks into very…

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By: Judith M. Mathias, MA, RN
September 20, 2018
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Editorial

In this issue’s 2018 OR Manager Salary/Career survey results, just over two-thirds of respondents report overall job satisfaction, but some see the lack of staff and support from superiors as chief gaps in what OR managers need to be successful (cover story). The relatively high job satisfaction rate is encouraging,…

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By: Elizabeth Wood
September 20, 2018
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Orthopedic bundled payment models on the fast track--Part 2

According to a 2016 McKesson report, payers expect value-based reimbursement, including bundled payments, to grow from a third of their business to a majority of it in 5 years. And as noted in Part 1 of this two-part series (OR Manager, September 2018, 1, 13-17), bundles are advancing on multiple…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
September 20, 2018
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ASC leaders' satisfaction dips as salaries increase slightly

Leaders of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are less satisfied than they were a year ago, according to the OR Manager 2018 Salary/Career Survey. In 2017, 83% were satisfied with their current job or position, compared with 77% this year. Other areas where satisfaction dipped by five percentage points or more…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
September 20, 2018
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What are the top challenges for today's ASC leaders?

We asked some top ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders, including members of OR Manager’s Editorial Advisory Board, to identify the top challenges ASC leaders are facing. Here are their responses. We believe you will see some of your own challenges reflected in their comments.   Mary Stewart, MSN, BSN, RN…

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By: Jan Allison, RN, CHSP
September 20, 2018
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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] 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.

[FREE WEBINAR] From Chaos to Control: User-Friendly Digitization of Scheduling and Preference Cards
Latest Issue of OR Manager
September 2025
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“What’s our cost per case?”

“Can Dr. Smith’s office take our open time this week?”

“Can you update all our preference cards today?”

If you’re having trouble answering these questions, don’t miss this webinar. Using digital preference cards and OR scheduling tools, you’ll see how more accessible data can empower your team.

In this session, surgical business managers will discover strategies for reducing costs per case, optimizing labor utilization, and keeping ORs from idling. Nurses will discover time-saving strategies for preference card management and room turnover.

With real-world insights from the OR, viewers will leave with actionable solutions to streamline processes and drive measurable improvements in their surgical department.

Agenda
  • Identify the key characteristics of effective preference cards and their role in optimizing OR efficiency.
  • Discuss the most effective ways to digitize OR case scheduling.
  • Highlight the importance of collaboration among SPD, the OR team, and the supply chain in driving long-term success for preference card initiatives.

 

Speakers:

Aileen R. Killen, RN, PhD, CPPS is the Director, Perioperative Excellence at LiveData. In her role, she collaborates with LiveData on strategies for adoption and utilization of PeriOp Manager, a surgical workflow solution. In addition to holding perioperative leadership positions in some of the country’s leading medical facilities, including New York University Medical Center, The Hospital for Special Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Aileen was also heavily involved in the patient safety arena as an AHA-NPSF Patient Safety Leadership Fellow, where she focused on designing operating rooms for patient and staff safety. In 2014, she was appointed as Global Head of Healthcare Consulting at AIG, where she established AIG as a safety thought leader across the global healthcare industry. Aileen earned a diploma in nursing from Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing and a BSN from DeSales University, both in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She holds an MS in Nursing from the University of Maryland in Baltimore, a Master of Science in Health Policy and Management from New York University, and a PhD from Boston College School of Nursing.

 

Ethan Nobbs is the CEO of PREFcards LLC., a leading SaaS health tech company dedicated to transforming healthcare operations through innovative technology solutions. With a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, Ethan brings over 20 years of progressive leadership experience in operations management across diverse business environments.

Throughout their career, Ethan has built and led high-performance teams, delivering results in P&L management, marketing, business development, operations, and supply chain. This diverse experience has enabled him to navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry and lead PREFcards with the goal to empower healthcare organizations with cutting-edge solutions that streamline OR workflows, enhance efficiency, and drive measurable impact.
 

 

 

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