Fine-tuning physician preference cards to reduce instrument use and sterilization is a well-known way to cut costs, but one that is often hard to implement. At Bassett Healthcare (Cooperstown, New York), we had success with a simple intervention involving collaboration with nearly 50 surgeons across multiple departments. We reviewed more…

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Healthcare is striving to become an industry of high-reliability organizations, and part of being a high-reliability industry means staying vigilant and identifying problems proactively. ECRI Institute’s annual Top 10 list helps organizations identify looming patient safety challenges and offers suggestions and resources for addressing them. ECRI Institute relied on event…

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Compliance with sterilization and disinfection standards is critical to patient safety, yet Joint Commission surveyors continue to cite healthcare facilities for noncompliance with high-level disinfection (HLD) and sterilization processes during accreditation surveys. Organizations with HLD and/or sterilization breaches during a survey may receive an immediate threat to life or adverse…

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Linens and textiles may not be as exciting as the latest spinal device or miracle drug, but they are a mainstay of every healthcare setting. Quality matters, and costs associated with these high-use items can make a difference in a facility’s overall expenses. It’s essential to evaluate the best way…

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Healthcare lags behind other industries when it comes to innovation. That’s partly because new treatments must be vetted for safety and efficacy, and partly because fee-for-service reimbursement sparked little incentive for creativity and efficiency. Under value-based purchasing, OR leaders have more opportunity to be innovative, but first they must understand…

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One of the biggest challenges for OR managers is efficient use of OR blocks. OR managers struggle to balance revenue and utilization targets with surgeon and staff preferences. The result is underutilized OR time, unnecessary costs, and dissatisfied staff. “Let’s face it, our block allocation process isn’t very efficient,” says…

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Recent developments such as the Trump administration’s failure to pass its healthcare reform bill and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s (CMS) decision to delay expanding its bundled payments program leave the healthcare industry in a position of uncertainty. It’s difficult to plan, and signs of any real progress are…

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Creating a harmonious work environment can only be achieved through effective leadership that discourages conflict and negativity. “Ditching the drama, restoring sanity to the workplace, and turning excuses into results” is how Cy Wakeman, MS, BSW, describes her leadership philosophy. “Circumstances are not the reasons we can’t succeed—they are the…

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