Massachusetts approves state's first nurse staffing mandate
Editor's Note The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission has voted unanimously to approve the state’s first nurse staffing mandate. It calls for no more than two patients to be assigned to one nurse in all ICUs, including burn units and NICUs. In some cases just one patient is assigned to one…
Wise use of social media can enhance your professional career
Privacy violations, work distractions, wasting time—with all these risks, who needs social media? You do. Social media is key for OR leaders to successfully manage their professional lives. Savvy leaders accept that social media is a two-sided coin. “The reality is that every post, Tweet, and text is filled with…
Staff vacation gridlock eased by innovative allocation system
Developing a vacation selection process that is fair to everyone can be a daunting challenge for OR managers. The right balance between flexibility and adequate coverage can make or break staff satisfaction. Having time away from the hospital is important for all OR personnel, but perhaps none more so than…
Former pilot applies aviation skills to perioperative nursing
As a Navy veteran, airline pilot, and flight nurse, Lisa Reeves, RN, performed safety checklists for nearly 15 years. When Reeves became a perioperative nurse 2 years ago, she was pleasantly surprised to find she would continue to use checklists and that ORs had been studying aviation safety practices. “The…
Focused competencies give anesthesia technicians a leg up on the efficiency ladder
Demand for anesthesia technicians is on the rise, according to a recent Chicago Tribune headline. The article touts the position as a way to “work in the operating room without going to medical school.” Although this description may be an overreach, it does help raise awareness of the growing and…
Mandatory BSN program launched in response to IOM recommendation
Nearly 4 years have passed since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued the recommendation for 80% of RNs to get their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree by 2020. To achieve that goal, the IOM says, “Healthcare organizations should encourage nurses with associate’s and diploma degrees to enter baccalaureate…
Don't let depression derail your staff's morale and motivation
Depression affects 9% of adults in the US and 18% of hospital-employed nurses, including those who work in perioperative settings. Nurses with depression not only suffer themselves, but their illness can impact their productivity and quality of care as well as their coworkers’ work lives. Nurse managers need to be…
Morale boosters can make your hospital a desirable place to work
Google is the best company in America to work for, according to Fortune Magazine. Thousands of smart, creative individuals want to work there, not only for perks like nap rooms and free food, but also because of Google’s reputation for supportive management, effective communication, and rewards for a job well…
Train, sustain, retain: Targeted recruitment reduces hospital openings from 50 to 0
What would you do if you had more than 50 open positions and 40 travel nurses in your OR? If you were part of the team at University of Virginia Medical Center (UVAMC) in Charlottesville, you would get busy recruiting and retaining staff. “We knew we couldn’t continue down that…
Innovative nurse training program bolsters interest in OR career
Like most OR leaders, Doug Robinson, BSN, RN, CNOR, manager of the Roberts Operating Rooms at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, wants a steady supply of OR nurses. Robinson has reached back to his own student experience to develop a program that gives students OR exposure, with the intent…
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- Surgical site infections often caused by preexisting bacteria
- The Joint Commission launches new telehealth accreditation program
- FDA announces class 1 recall for disposable biopsy needle kit
- Report: Consistent, purposeful manager-team engagement reduces RN turnover
- Death, hospital readmission less likely for women treated by female doctors
- FDA announces class 1 recalls for infusion pumps, anesthesia workstation
- Study finds workforce readiness gap in new nurses
- Joint replacement manufacturer recalls products after FDA packaging warning
- Gene-edited pig kidney, heart pump combined in transplant surgery milestone
- Catheter sterility concerns prompt Class 1 FDA recall for surgery trays