Safety 
Healthcare facilities face challenges in the recall process of tissue, non-biologic implants, and medical devices because of their time-sensitive nature and inherent risks to patient safety and compliance. Hospitals often use secondary sources for recall notifications. These lists, however, do not include two critical pieces—the identification of affected patient cases…
Using sterile items in surgery is a fundamental practice, not a rudimentary one that can or should be taken for granted. Put simply, using unsterile items can result in a patient infection. If sterile storage conditions are not appropriate, the items can become contaminated. Such contamination may go undetected, rendering…
A big question was circulating amongst the OR professionals at the AORN Global Surgical Conference floor this year: “How do we improve our miscount protocols?” It was clear that nurses and OR managers are looking for a better miscount management solution. Manual counting has been the standard in preventing retained…
Takeaways Rural hospital purchases by larger health systems should improve access to surgical treatment in remote areas, but some acquisitions have resulted in decreased care quality and reduced access to services, as shown by recent examples. Despite challenges, rural hospital acquisitions can lead to expanded services, enhanced perioperative support, and…
Access to quality care in rural areas has been making headlines since the pandemic began. The issue of ensuring appropriate access to services in rural and community hospitals is not a new concern. But with the unprecedented number of shutdowns—not only of certain departments and service lines but also total…
While demand for OR services can be unpredictable, supply is largely fixed—well below the baseline for many hospitals and health systems. The ability to match supply and demand within perioperative services is critical to efficient ORs, as hospitals and health systems must operate with constrained staffing and anesthesia resources. On…
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) presents a challenge to anesthesiologists and surgeons alike in the OR. Clinicians often do not know how to identify and treat this condition, and it can go undetected for years. “I think the reason many anesthesiologists, even pain specialists, aren’t well versed or aware of MALS…
May was a month of renewal and fresh beginnings that was also dedicated to Mental Health Awareness. This past month provided a timely reminder to first assess our own well-being as leaders so often focused on the contributions and performance of others. Last month was also an opportunity to pulse…
Takeaways for perioperative leaders The OR thrives when leaders act as coaches and focus on fostering growth, giving feedback, and prioritizing development—not just managing performance. True well-being goes beyond wellness and includes career, social, and community dimensions, not just physical and financial health. Who your team members work with matters—people…
The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) has revised the ANSI/AAMI PB70 Liquid barrier performance and classification of protective apparel and drapes intended for use in healthcare facilities. This revised standard provides healthcare professionals with a better understanding of the barrier protection properties of available protective apparel. The…
