Tag: emergency preparedness

PACU initiative cuts emergency response times from 9 to 2 minutes

Editor's Note A multidisciplinary quality improvement effort at Vanderbilt University Medical Center sharply reduced response times to post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) emergencies, demonstrating a model that other hospitals could replicate, OR Management News September 1 reports. By combining education, clear role identification, standardized anesthesiologist notification, and recurring mock code drills,…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
September 18, 2025
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CDC projects hospitalization burden for 2025–2026 respiratory season

Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects that COVID-19, influenza, and RSV will together drive a similar level of peak hospitalizations this fall and winter compared to last season, according to a CDC August 25 outlook. The assessment, updated every 2 months, provides a baseline for…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
September 17, 2025
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From checklists to culture: Practical steps for leaders to strengthen OR safety

healthcare nurse staff

The OR has a planned rhythm that relies on training, checklists, and teamwork to turn the complex surgical environment into an elegant orchestration that keeps patients safe. But efficiency and a climate of safety do not just happen—they depend on culture. When teams communicate openly, follow standards consistently, and feel…

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By: Aileen R. Killen
September 10, 2025
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ACS, Lifesaving Technologies launch nationwide effort to expand bleeding control readiness

Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has partnered with Lifesaving Technologies to expand access to emergency response equipment and training across the US, the ACS announced on September 3. The collaboration builds on the ACS Stop the Bleed program, which has already trained more than 5 million people…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
September 4, 2025
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Low-cost simulation helps surgical trainees practice crisis skills for major hemorrhage

Editor's Note A novel, low-cost simulation of intraoperative hemorrhage successfully challenged surgical residents and fellows to practice both technical and nontechnical crisis management skills. According to a study published in Surgery on August 19, the model replicated a lacerated vena cava bleed and allowed learners to rehearse vascular repair, teamwork,…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 28, 2025
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FDA: National IV saline shortage over after years of strained supply

Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially declared the nationwide shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% injection products over, saying a critical supply line for hospitals and surgical teams is restored. According to an August 8 statement from FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, MD, MPH, the resolution marks a…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 14, 2025
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ASC drill success hinges on preparation, adaptability, clear roles

Editor's Note Running effective emergency drills in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) requires strategic resource use, role clarity, and consistent adaptation, Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society July 8 reports. Drawing on insights from Laura Schneider, senior clinical director at AMSURG, the piece outlines practical steps to ensure ASCs can respond effectively…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 12, 2025
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Key tactics for OR emergency readiness: Supply audits, team drills

Editor’s Note: This page is a companion piece to the main article, Emergency preparedness: Identifying essential supplies for unplanned surgical events. While the main article outlines the principles of emergency readiness and supply preparation in the OR, the posts below offer a closer look at two key implementation areas: Supply…

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By: Lesley Barton
July 30, 2025
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Emergency preparedness: Identifying essential supplies for unplanned surgical events

While most emergency surgical procedures are carried out uneventfully and safely, the OR is also a place where potentially life-threatening and least-expected instances can arise. Emergencies such as malignant hyperthermia, intraoperative cardiac arrest, and anaphylaxis can catch OR leaders and staff off guard. Perioperative teams need proper and adequate preparation…

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By: Lesley Barton
July 30, 2025
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Mobile ORs can change the game, bridge gaps in surgical care

Imagine an innovative, safe, and highly efficient OR not confined by walls but on wheels—crossing rugged terrains, bustling cities, and disaster-stricken areas to deliver life-saving surgical care in underserved areas. That is the premise and promise of mobile ORs. They are not just mobile units. With some of the technological…

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By: David Cotriss
July 1, 2025
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