Stress and burnout are more than workforce concerns; they are patient safety issues. Research shows a clear correlation between healthcare provider stress and medical errors. For instance, Zabin et al, a 2023 systematic review, confirmed that job stress negatively influences patient safety culture. Garcia & Abreu et al, a separate…
As hospitals and surgical services face an acute nursing shortage, the sustainability of the perioperative workforce continues to be a pressing concern. Several projections show the nursing workforce in the US—as well as globally—remains under strain while surgical demand shows no sign of slowing down. The American Association of Colleges…
Perioperative leaders face a workforce transition unlike any in recent memory. By 2030, all baby boomers will have reached retirement age, and many veteran perioperative nurses are already exiting, taking with them decades of institutional knowledge. At the same time, the expectations of today’s workforce have shifted, placing greater value…
Editor's Note More than 31,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses and healthcare professionals are set to walk off the job on October 14 in what could be one of the largest healthcare strikes in recent history, Nurse.org October 7 reports. The 5-day strike, led by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of…
Editor's Note Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping nursing informatics and clinical practice, improving patient monitoring, care planning, and workflow efficiency, yet both opportunities and risks are mounting. According to March 2025 reviews published in International Nursing Review and in Frontiers in Digital Health, AI integration promises significant gains in…
Editor's Note This October 28–30, perioperative leaders will gather in Anaheim, California, for the OR Manager Conference—the only event designed exclusively for OR, ASC, PACU, and SPD managers and directors. More than a conference, it is an immersive experience that blends education, networking, and practical solutions to help perioperative leaders…
Editor's Note Two of the nation’s largest health systems are reporting major progress in nurse retention after investing in structured residency programs, mentorship, and professional development. According to a September 10 article from the Catholic Health Association of the United States, CommonSpirit Health has boosted new nurse retention to 86%…
Editor's Note Most newly licensed nurses require about 12 months before they can practice autonomously, a HealthLeaders September 8 analysis reports. The article highlights findings from a recent National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) study of 200 nurses, 74% of whom reported that a full year was necessary…
Editor's Note Perioperative leaders are reshaping how surgical care is delivered, making pragmatic adjustments in the face of supply shortages, staffing constraints, and shifting surgical volume toward ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Together, the latest three OR Manager pulse polls reveal a profession managing high stakes with a mix of caution,…
In perioperative care, high-performing teams are critical to patient safety and workflow efficiency. Diversity in hiring is not only a matter of compliance—it directly influences care quality, communication, and innovation. A diverse healthcare workforce reflects the varied backgrounds of patients, which builds trust and cultural competency. Research shows that when…