Roughly 41,000 surgical procedures happen in the US every day. Each one depends on surgical technologists (STs), the professionals who prepare the OR, hand off instruments, and ensure a sterile environment to prevent infections that affect up to 3% of all patients. The profession’s importance is reflected in AORN’s recommended…

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Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are taking on more high-acuity, same-day procedures than ever before. This growth is driven by evolving clinical protocols, cost-conscious reimbursement strategies, and expanded capabilities in outpatient care. Specialties like orthopedics, spine, ophthalmology, and cardiovascular care are moving more complex cases—and the implants that come with them—out…

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Perioperative leaders often have to make critical decisions, not just in the middle of an operational crisis but also somewhere in the edges—the routine but still high-stakes moments where leaders need to adjust resources or absorb costs under tight constraints. The economic margin for error continues to narrow, and many…

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Editor's Note A recent article from HIT Consultant highlights findings from Incredible Health’s 2025 State of US Nursing & Technicians Report, revealing mounting strain across the nursing and healthcare technician workforce. Reportedly based on insights from more than 1 million professionals, findings include:  71% of nurses report that staffing shortages…

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Editor's Note Gen Z nurses are leaving the workforce in droves, and CNOs must adapt their leadership strategies to keep them. That’s according to a July 21 HealthLeaders report on the Nurse Experience 2025 analysis from Press Ganey, which found that 24% of Gen Z registered nurses left the workforce…

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Editor's Note Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) continue to face a mounting anesthesia crisis: costs are rising, staffing is tightening, and reimbursement is failing to keep pace. Anesthesia payments have dropped 8.2% over the past decade, while provider salaries have risen by as much as 40%, creating a growing financial burden…

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Editor's Note Healthcare employment in the US rose by 39,000 from June to July, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released July 3. According to a July 3 BLS press release, the figure is similar to the average monthly gain of 43,000 over the past…

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Editor's Note The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)’s AACN’s 2024-2025 Enrollment and Graduations survey shows undergraduate and graduate nursing programs saw enrollment gains in 2024, with a 4.9% increase in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program enrollment, along with a 1.6% gain in RN-to-BSN programs following five…

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Editor's Note Hospitals spent nearly $900 million in labor last year managing drug shortages, dedicating over 20 million hours to activities such as sourcing alternatives, updating systems, and communicating with care teams, according to a new Vizient survey published June 17. Conducted in late 2023 and detailed in Vizient’s June…

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Editor's Note All newly certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in the US will be required to hold a doctoral degree, marking a significant shift in training standards for the profession, according to a May 3 post by James Allen, MD, on his page, “Hospital Medical Director,” also covered by Becker's…

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