Robotic surgery has become part of the OR landscape, partly driven by marketing, as competing hospitals purchase robots and advertise them to consumers eager for the latest technology. "It's definitely a consumer-driven health care offering," says Lynda Petty, RN, director of perioperative education, policy, and process improvement at The Ohio…

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As with most busy ORs, we were looking to improve our efficiency. Consultants were brought in and gave recommendations, but it did not change our culture or improve our on-time starts. We had meetings with anesthesia providers, surgeons, and nurses. The results were differing opinions on the definition of an…

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A Philadelphia hospital is now using the ViKY, developed by EndoControl in France, a single-arm device that is much smaller and easier to use than the da Vinci surgical robot and doesn't require a large OR or OR team for set up, notes Diane Robertson of ECRI Institute. Another focus…

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Every ambulatory surgery center (ASC) needs a financial compass to help chart its course. Is revenue per case up or down? What about expenses per case? How does the center's performance compare with national benchmarks? A financial dashboard helps leaders at Harmony Surgery Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, see trends…

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When several patients needing urgent or emergent surgery arrive at a hospital simultaneously, who decides which case goes to the OR first? For true emergencies, the decision is generally straightforward, with the patient rushed into the first available room. But in many other situations, the decision is not as clear:…

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As an aging population, a recovering economy, and health care reform bring more patients into the operating room, will there be enough surgeons to care for them? A shortage of 124,000 to 159,000 MDs is projected within 15 years—and about a third of the shortage will be in surgery, according…

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David Goodman, MD, MS The rate of hip replacements in Boulder, Colorado, is more than 5 times higher than in Bryan, Texas, which has the lowest rate. Rates for knee replacements also vary widely, with Manhattan's rate only about one-fourth that of Lincoln, Nebraska. Many other types of surgery have…

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A4-level classification system with built-in accountability measures is used for managing urgent and emergent cases at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan, a 390-bed referral center with 14 ORs. The policy was developed by a steering committee of surgeons, anesthesiologists, OR management, and the administration working with a consultant.…

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