Nuts and bolts of new technology acquisition--Part 1
Surgeons often are eager to acquire the newest technology, particularly right after attending a conference with a vendor-packed exhibit hall. How can OR leaders weigh surgeon demands with organizational cost constraints to ensure they meet patient needs while being fiscally responsible? The first step is to acknowledge the complexity of…
CMS proposes to revise physician anti-kickback rules
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 9 announced proposed changes to how it enforces the Physician Self-Referral Law (ie, Stark Law), which penalizes physicians and other healthcare providers for referring patients to outside services they could stand to benefit from financially. The proposed rule…
Legal and ethical questions temper excitement about AI--Part 2
As part of a special series on artificial intelligence (AI), OR Manager is taking a deep dive into the many facets of this new technology and its impact on patient care. In this issue we continue our examination of the challenges related to AI, which began in last month’s issue…
OR am - 3-26-2019
Subscribe | Store March 26, 2019 Improving hand hygiene compliance among anesthesia providers in the OR Educating anesthesia providers on the World Health Organization’s five indications for hand hygiene, increasing access to hand hygiene products in the OR, and monitoring hand hygiene among anesthesia providers can improve hand hygiene…
FDA issues Safety Communication on cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Medtronic cardiac devices
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on March 21 issued a Safety Communication on cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified in wireless telemetry technology used for communication between Medtronic’s implantable cardiac devices, clinic programmers, and home monitors. Medtronic (Dublin, Ireland) is working on updates to address the vulnerabilities and recommends that healthcare…
Disruptive innovation in supply chain: Impact of Amazon Business and technology, Part 2
Supply chain is ripe for innovation, as Amazon Business and technology manufacturers have discovered. In part 1 of this two-part series, we focused on the company’s role in the supply chain (OR Manager, February 2019, 1, 9-12). In part 2, we look at technology-related trends and innovations that can improve…
Disruptive innovation in supply chain: Impact of Amazon Business and technology, Part 1
Supply chain is the lifeblood of the OR, so any disruption in the flow of that lifeblood can lead to outcomes ranging from dissatisfaction with backorders to chaos if a new implant doesn’t arrive on time. But disruption also can be a positive force, especially if it supports flow. When…
Top 10 health technology hazards for 2019 named
The devices and systems we use when diagnosing and treating patients are invaluable to patient care—but they are not perfect. Patients and staff can be harmed if design flaws or system faults aren’t identified and rectified, equipment isn’t adequately maintained or prepared for use, or proper procedures aren’t followed. Preventing…
HHS opens Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center
Editor's Note The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on October 29 opened the Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) at its headquarters in Washington DC. HC3 will play a vital role in early detection of cybersecurity attacks and coordination of information between the healthcare sector and the Department…
11-1-18 OR AM
Subscribe | Store November 1, 2018 Sponsored By Identifying SSIs using electronic health record data In this study, researchers developed an algorithm model that accurately identified surgical site infections (SSIs) using independent variables from electronic health record data and outcomes from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS…