Editor’s Note Leaders in ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and perioperative services will converge at the 39th annual OR Manager Conference, to be held October 28–30, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, of which the program agenda was just announced. Designed for professionals who juggle operational efficiency, profitability, vendor…

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Editor's Note In addition to the uptick in acquiring outpatient facilities since 2023, UnitedHealth Group quietly acquired or created more than 250 subsidiaries last year, expanding its already vast network of services comprising a major health insurer, physician practices, a pharmacy benefit manager, and various other healthcare ventures, STAT March…

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Editor's Note A February 26 letter in JAMA Network reported a revised legal standard for medical negligence in the US, shifting from traditional reliance on customary practice toward a more patient-centered, evidence-based definition of “reasonable care.” The American Law Institute (ALI) updated its framework in 2024, retaining elements of prevailing…

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Editor's Note Machine learning (ML) is enhancing OR efficiency by optimizing scheduling, predicting surgical durations, and reducing delays, according to a systematic review published February 21 in Cureus. However, privacy concerns, data access limitations, and the need for further validation remain barriers to widespread implementation. The review analyzed 21 studies…

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Editor's Note A pilot 4-day workweek program improved job satisfaction, work-life balance, and confidence among nurse leaders at Fox Chase Cancer Center, according to a March 3 report in Healio. The initiative, implemented in 2021, showed sustained benefits over time, suggesting alternative scheduling models could help mitigate burnout and improve…

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Editor's Note Coinciding with Colon Cancer Awareness Month, AMSURG—a leading provider of ambulatory surgery center (ASC) services and GI care—has launched an educational push to boost colonoscopies and reduce soaring colon cancer rates, particularly among younger adults, a March 3 press release reports. The campaign highlights the lifesaving impact of…

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Takeaways • HR dashboards facilitate tracking key performance indicators related to recruitment, retention, and staffing needs. • HR dashboard data facilitate planning for current operations as well as new endeavors. • Elements of a successful HR dashboard include capability to determine users’ needs, to filter data in multiple ways, and…

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Editor's Note With several major gatherings planned for this spring—including those from AORN, AONL, ASCA, and ASPAN—a bustling events season offers perioperative leaders valuable opportunities for reflection on our careers and futures. Speaking of futures, the 2024 OR Manager Salary/Career Survey revealed an intriguing shift: only 9% of perioperative nurses…

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Reduced costs, faster recovery, and other advantages can make outpatient surgical procedures more convenient for providers and patients alike. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are incredibly safe, but a lot of work goes into infection control. Cross-trained staff often wear many hats, and limited budgets may not leave room for dedicated…

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Starting a new job can be stressful for anyone, but nursing comes with a particular set of pressures. A 2024 survey of 6,000 nurses from the American Nurses Association (ANA), in partnership with McKinsey and Company, found that an astonishing 45% of early-tenure nurses reported they were somewhat likely to…

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