'Territorial games' aim to help curb disruptive behavior in the OR
The OR environment plays host to a perfect storm of high stakes, time constraints, and egos. As a surgical services director, you’ve likely seen your share of disruptive behavior, and your hospital probably has a zero tolerance policy for transgressions like throwing a surgical instrument across the room during surgery,…
Faster discharge typical for patients undergoing hip surgery at ASCs
Innovations in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and equipment, along with the drive to decrease healthcare costs, are increasing the number of patients and procedures deemed suitable for outpatient surgery. Among the elective procedures now being performed at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are total joint replacements. The buzz at recent conferences has…
Implementation period for outpatient payment rule cut short by CMS delays
Nearly a month past the statutory November 1, 2013 deadline, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its final 2014 hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) payment rule, CMS-1601-FC. CMS published the rule in the December 10, 2013 Federal Register. The deadline for comments is January 27,…
Use of refined protocols reduces pressure ulcer rates
Each year, 2.5 million people in the US develop pressure ulcers, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Surgical patients are at especially high risk because of immobility during long procedures and anesthesia that blocks sensitivity to pain and pressure. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid estimates…
Cleaning audits lead to better environmental hygiene
Environmental hygiene is an ongoing concern in all hospitals because of its role in patient safety and infection control. Standardized processes can greatly improve the efficacy of OR cleaning, but continuous monitoring is needed to ensure compliance with those steps. Inconsistent cleaning processes, staff turnover, new equipment, and unclear expectations…
Editorial
As the holiday season approaches, I’m aware that it will soon be time for my annual review—not only my job performance but also my personal goals. I’ve long had a tradition of reflecting on each year’s milestones and continuing the practices that serve me best. I consider this process “evolution”…
Best practices and new technology on tap at 2014 OR Business Management Conference
The upcoming OR Business Management Conference provides a timely opportunity for OR business managers and surgical services directors to learn what they can do to optimize their hospitals’ resources—especially in the current climate of ever-tighter budgets and reimbursement concerns. The conference, which will be held February 11-13, 2014, at the…
Preoperative screening program reveals missed diagnoses and reduces mortality
Cancelled surgical procedures at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (CRMH) in Roanoke, Virginia, are considered a success rather than a failure. “That’s because we cancel procedures for cause,” says Sandy Fogel, MD, FACS. Before 2010, many patients at CRMH were having surgery with undiagnosed, untreated medical problems, and postoperative 30-day mortality…
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