We're halfway through our 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series! In this 6th episode, we're continuing the conversation with industry expert Karen Goelst, CEO and Founder of KleenEdge. With a 20-year background in architectural specialties and textiles, Karen became passionate about solving the issues surrounding privacy curtains following her 15-year-old son’s hospital stay with MRSA. In this episode, learn the key to targeted disinfecting, and learn how privacy curtains are high-risk touchpoints that cannot be disinfected like hard surfaces. What's the solution? Tune in to find out! --------------- Expert Series On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ORExpert #perioperative

Welcome to episode 5 of our 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series, where we're continuing the conversation with industry expert Karen Goelst, CEO and Founder of KleenEdge! With a 20-year background in architectural specialties and textiles, Karen became passionate about solving the issues surrounding privacy curtains following her 15-year-old son’s hospital stay with MRSA. In this episode, Karen uncovers the reasons why many hospitals switched to disposable, recyclable curtains, yet they failed to actually recycle any of those curtains. Also, find out what technologies are available to assist healthcare facilities with recycling not only their curtains, but also gowns, masks, and some drapes.  --------------- Expert Series On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ORExpert #perioperative

 Do you ever wish there was an extra set of hands available to help hold forceps or a pair of scissors during a case? What if you could add this convenience and efficiency by using instrument pockets? In this exciting First Case Vendor Spotlight™, we learn all about the innovative development of the SmartGown™ EDGE Breathable Gown with ASSIST™ Instrument Pockets with surgeon and co-inventor, Dr. Joseph Dearani, MD. In this engaging interview, Dr. Dearani discusses his journey from working as a mechanic to becoming a cardiac surgeon, and he shares with us how his training as a mechanic helped inspire his idea for a new surgical gown design. Discover how the simple addition of pockets can improve self-sufficiency and efficiency within the surgical field. Find out what the design team did to overcome the challenges of maintaining sterility with the gown’s design and learn how this gown can be used for multiple surgical specialties and patient positions. Designed using the technology of Cardinal Health’s top-selling AAMI Level 4 surgical gown, the SmartGown™ EDGE features two instrument pockets and one holster, enabling convenient instrument access to help support safe and efficient procedures. The innovative instrument pockets enable users to keep frequently used instruments within reach, and they provide a much-needed extra set of hands to understaffed ORs. To connect with a Cardinal Health representative to learn more about the SmartGown™ EDGE, you can visit their website at https://ww3.cardinalhealth.com/l/104412/2023-12-18/5vcqp1?cid=DSP-TRD_TDS_OTR-MED-MPORP_SDG-SmartGown_EDGE-The_future_is_wearable-Learn_more or email them at Nicole.Piazza@cardinalhealth.com. You can also follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook! For Healthcare Professionals Only. This podcast represents independent evaluations and opinions of Dr. Dearani and other webcast participants.  The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice nor does it represent the views and opinions of Cardinal Health. Cardinal Health makes no representations regarding the contents herein. 

This is episode 4 of our 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series, and we're continuing the conversation with industry expert Karen Goelst, CEO and Founder of KleenEdge. With a 20-year background in architectural specialties and textiles, Karen became passionate about solving the issues surrounding privacy curtains following her 15-year-old son’s hospital stay with MRSA. In this episode, discover the many advantages of using disposable, recyclable privacy curtains over using cloth curtains.  ----- Expert Series On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ORExpert #perioperative

In this third episode of our 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series, we're continuing the conversation with industry expert Karen Goelst, CEO and Founder of KleenEdge. With a 20-year background in architectural specialties and textiles, Karen became passionate about solving the issues surrounding privacy curtains following her 15-year-old son’s hospital stay with MRSA. In this episode, find out how cloth privacy curtains harbor bacteria, how they can transmit infection, and discover an alternate, sustainable solution to fabric privacy curtains.  ----- Expert Series On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ORExpert #perioperative

Tune in for the second episode of our 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series, where we learn from industry expert Karen Goelst, CEO and Founder of KleenEdge. With a 20-year background in architectural specialties and textiles, Karen became passionate about solving the issues surrounding privacy curtains following her 15-year-old son’s hospital stay with MRSA. Follow along as Karen highlights the current issues with cloth privacy curtains, the struggles with compliance in curtain exchanges, and the shift towards disposable, recyclable curtains.  ----- Expert Series On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ORExpert #perioperative

In this 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series, we're learning from industry expert Karen Goelst, CEO and Founder of KleenEdge. With a 20-year background in architectural specialties and textiles, Karen became passionate about solving the issues surrounding privacy curtains following her 15-year-old son’s hospital stay with MRSA. Follow along as Karen highlights the current issues with cloth privacy curtains, the struggles with compliance in curtain exchanges, and the shift towards disposable, recyclable curtains.  ----- Expert Series On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ORExpert #perioperative

Have you ever wanted to make the jump from bedside nurse to business owner? In this Special Release interview with Cara Lunsford, RN, CPHON, and VP of Community at Nurse.com, we’re going to find out what motivated her to step away from the bedside and into the world of entrepreneurship. Tune in to hear her story and to learn about the nursing community she has created. Plus, discover tips for getting started if you’re considering starting your own business! Love our show? Download our First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G #operatingroom #surgery #podcast #entrepreneur #nurse #bedside #business

How much time do you spend making surgical slush before or during a case? Have you ever considered how long your open surgical slush is exposed to airborne contaminants and fluid-loving pathogens?  In this First Case Vendor SpotlightTM we sit down with Ruth Stachura, MBA, RN, Vice President Business Development at °C Change Surgical, to discover the benefits of a closed and fully-automated surgical slush system – SurgiSLUSHTM. In this interview we’ll learn more about this highly efficient, set and forget technology that yields predictive, expert slush supply, every time. With a streamlined intraoperative workflow and confirmed sterile barrier integrity, SurgiSLUSH is the infection prevention asset every OR needs.   °C Change Surgical is a privately held company in North Carolina that manufactures and assembles cutting edge sterile fluid cooling systems exclusively in the US. With valuable insight from clinical leaders across North America, °C Change Surgical developed a sterile slush system that streamlines workflow, automates expert supply, and conforms with today’s clinical guidelines. And, it’s the fastest growing sterile slush system in the US.  Visit the °C Change Surgical website, www.cchangesurgical.com to view a 30-second, informative video for a quick introduction. You can also request additional information, receive a quote, or schedule a free evaluation. And don’t forget to follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook! 

“We don’t have enough space!” “Where is all of this old equipment supposed to go?” If this sounds familiar, and you’ve got a basement or warehouse full of old, unused equipment, then tune in to this eye-opening Vendor SpotlightTM with Ashley Jackson, VP of Business Development and Curtis McEntire, Founder and CEO at Mazree. Most hospitals do not have an asset disposition program, which leaves our storage spaces and equipment rooms overflowing with old, outdated, unused equipment. This not only leads to frustration, but also to lost revenue. Find out how Mazree is changing the equipment landscape by connecting hospitals with their buyer network and providing services to resale, redeploy, or recycle their old equipment.   Mazree makes it possible to easily sell your surplus and used hospital equipment to validated, reputable buyers throughout their buyer network. With a regular schedule for equipment pickup, coordination of recycling for anything that doesn’t have resale value, status reports, and financial statements for tax purposes, Mazree helps bring your hospital a source of new revenue and takes the maze out of equipment trade-ins.   Find out more by visiting www.mazree.com, by emailing info@mazree.com, or by calling 866-512-5533. You can also follow Mazree on LinkedIn! 

Simulation is seen as a valuable educational resource to aid in staff development, but competing demands for time and resources can present challenges in incorporating this hands-on learning into perioperative education plans. Listen to this session from OR Manager Conference 2022 to learn new ways to work hands-on learning into your staffing schedule. The next OR Manager Conference is September 18-20, 2023, in Nashville, TN. View the full agenda at ormanagerconference.com and register using promocode PODCAST to receive a discount! Love our show? Download our First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G #operatingroom #education #simulation #healthcare

We've partnered with OR Manager to bring you a bonus special-release episode! Tune in to this session from OR Manager Conference 2022, Understanding Health Equity through Clinical Storytelling, to learn the historical precedence and the social determinants of health, how quality care delivery requires that clinicians listen to and respect their patients’ individual narratives, backgrounds, and experiences. The quality of patient care is significantly enhanced when culturally empathetic clinicians center their patients’ needs. Narrative reflection, or clinical storytelling, offers a pathway to health equity by prioritizing compassion and the patient’s perspective in delivering patient-centered care. The next OR Manager Conference is September 18-20, 2023 in Nashville, TN. View the full agenda at www.ormanagerconference.com and register using promocode PODCAST to receive a discount! Love our show? Download our First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G #operatingroom #healthequity #storytelling #healthcare #narrativereflection #podcast

Have you ever grabbed a power tool off of your backtable only to be horrified when bioburden fell out of it? If you’ve ever experienced this, you’ll want to tune in to this First Case Vendor SpotlightTM with Jason Moonen, Product Manager at Aesculap! We’re going to discover the ELAN® 4 Power System today, the only micro power system that you can flush internally from proximal to distal end. This design allows bioburden to be forced out of the handpiece, giving you the confidence of clean instruments, and the peace of mind in helping to reduce surgical site infections caused by contaminated instruments.    The ELAN 4 Power System eliminates the need for matching components with its integrated motor system. It also has an intuitive “Plug-N-Play” assembly for all tools and attachments, along with universal burr length and clear coding of burrs. All types and sizes of burrs are available for handpiece lengths thereby reducing inventory carrying costs and shelf space.    To learn more about the ELAN 4 Power System visit  http://aesculapusa.com, follow Aesculap on LinkedIn and reach out to your local Aesculap representative for more information!    #operatingroom #surgery #surgicalpower #orthopedics #micropowertool #neurosurgery

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR. In this article, Lindsey shares the Top 10 things you need to know if you're going to be working in Vascular Surgery.   "Vascular can seem like a scary specialty, but using these ten tips that I'm going to share with you today will help you prepare yourself for these cases with confidence." Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Vascular #VascularSurgery #perioperative #ORNurse #ScrubTech #ScrubNurse

In this Special Release before we kick off Season 8, tune in to this session from the 2022 OR Manager Conference to learn tips, insights and perspectives on successfully climbing the leadership ladder. The next conference is September 18-20, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Check out the agenda and register at www.ormanagerconference.com. Use code PODCAST and save! Love our show? Download our First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G #operatingroom #surgery #leadership #ormanager #perioperative #podcast

Surgical gloves make it possible for us to safely operate on patients every single day. However, persistent exposure to latex gloves increases the risk of a latex reaction for patients and clinicians alike. In today’s First Case Vendor SpotlightTM, we’re speaking with Dr. Rosemary Sergakis, Global Medical Science Lead (US) at Cardinal Health about the exposure risks associated with latex surgical gloves and about the benefits of switching to latex-free surgical gloves. In this interview, we’ll discover how Cardinal Health has supported hundreds of latex-free OR conversions, how they tailor the conversion specifically to each facility, and how converting to latex-free surgical gloves improves the safety of clinicians and patients.  As one of the pioneers in the latex-free movement in the OR, Cardinal Health’s ProtexisTM Surgical Gloves are the market leader in polyisoprene surgical gloves. With a fit and feel similar to latex gloves, the ProtexisTM PI Surgical Glove is the most popular glove in the United States. You can learn more about Protexis synthetic polyisoprene and neoprene surgical gloves and discover how your facility can go latex-free by visiting cardinalhealth.com/surgicalgloves.  You can also contact Cardinal Health at 800.321.0591 and be sure to follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook!  #operatingoom #surgicalgloves #latexfree #perioperative #scrubtech #ornurse *This podcast is intended for healthcare professionals.

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is in partnership with OR Manager. In this interview with Mike Ellrich, healthcare portfolio manager and principal consultant with analytics and advisory company Gallup in Washington DC, learn 5 keys to effective well-being in the OR. Plus, learn why OR suites can benefit from a well-being program! Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #ORManager #wellbeing #nursing #nurse #ornurse

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, and Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this article, Lindsey and Melanie share the Top 10 things you need to know if you're going to be working in Orthopedic Surgery.   "In today's Top 10, we're going to talk about Orthopedic Surgery, and go beyond the bones to talk about the items that are common to Orthopedics, regardless of the subspecialty." Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Ortho #OrthopedicSurgery

How many times do you handle privacy curtains during a regular shift? In surgical services, we often have privacy curtains in our preoperative and postoperative areas. How often do we touch the curtain, and then touch the patient? Do you know what contaminants have been found on privacy curtains? In today's First Case Vendor SpotlightTM with Karen Goelst, CEO & Founder of KleenEdge, we’re going to discover the realities of privacy curtain management and find out how privacy curtains can contribute to hospital acquired infections. We’ll also learn how KleedEdge is automating privacy curtain compliance and improving patient and staff safety. KleenEdge offers multiple no-ladder solutions with one curtain per track which translates into reduced labor and a significant reduction in curtain costs. They ensure compliance with their Scan and Go Protocol software offering both periodic and Isolation room exchanges along with automated reminders and alerts. KleenEdge is committed to improving the environment offering 100% recyclable products to drive sustainability initiatives and goals. Learn more about KleenEdge by visiting www.kleenedge.com and follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook! #operatingroom #perioperative #privacycurtains #vendorspotlight #surgerystartshere #ornurse #perioperativenurse #HAI

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this article, Melanie offers 5 tips for handling stress in the Operating Room.  "The operating room environment will always have associated stress, it's just the nature of what we do. But that doesn't give us the right to treat our coworkers poorly, just because we're stressed. Take care of yourself, physically and mentally, so that you're better prepared to handle the stress when it inevitably comes along." ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #stress #mentalhealth

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this special Mother's Day release, Melanie takes a minute to recognize the hardworking moms who are making a difference in healthcare.  "...but regardless of the job that we do, what doesn't change is that we're all still moms. Moms trying to work full-time, part time, or PRN to support our families while still juggling all of the schedules, responsibilities, and challenges that come with having a family." ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #mothersday #moms

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this article, Melanie offers practical tips and insight for new nurses in the Operating Room.  "The Operating Room (OR) is overwhelming. Whether you’re a new grad showing up on your first day as an RN, or you're new but have been a nurse in another department for 20 years, it’s a whole new world behind that red line. It's a world where a beach chair has nothing to do with the beach, a beanbag is not a toy, and a donut is not a tasty breakfast treat." ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #surgicalgloves #doublegloving #perioperative

How often do you handle specimens in your operating room? Have you ever considered your risk of exposure to a Class 1 carcinogen every time you add formalin to your specimen containers?  Formalin is recognized as a Class 1 carcinogen, and exposure to the fumes is a safety issue for all OR staff. But, healthcare organizations can now mitigate this health and safety risk. Find out how in this eye-opening First Case Vendor SpotlightTM with Michelle Bell, Applications Manager at Milestone Medical. What are the risks associated with formalin, and how can we mitigate those risks? How can we keep our staff safe while continuing to use formalin? The answer lies in the only automated formalin dispensing system on the market – the UltraSAFE.  Discover how UltraSAFE offers enhanced employee safety by eliminating exposure to formalin during the fill process and also significantly reduces the risk of a hazardous chemical spill in the Operating Room.   You can learn more about UltraSAFE, and how your facility can be protected from formalin exposure by visiting https://www.milestonemedsrl.com/us/product/ultrasafe/. You can email Milestone at info@milestonemed.com and follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook!   #operatingroom #vendorspotlight #employeesafety #perioperative #specimencollection #pathology #riskreduction #risk #safety

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this article, Melanie discusses three specific benefits of double gloving, and explains that double gloving is a practice for all of us, not just for those in specific specialties.  "The benefits of double gloving reach across the lines of the various specialties. Everyone can benefit from double gloving, regardless of the type of surgery they are doing." ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #surgicalgloves #doublegloving #perioperative

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this article, Melanie examines the benefits that a fresh perspective can add to our department. And, she highlights the importance of asking, "Why?" "Do we fully appreciate the value that a fresh perspective and a new set of eyes brings to our department and to our established processes?" ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #why #learning

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNL. In this article, Lindsey shares the Top 10 things you need to know if you're going to be working in Cardiac Surgery.   "While I still learn things daily, there are 10 things that stand out that every OR nurse and scrub should know about cardiac surgery. Here's my Top 10..." ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #CVOR #CardiacSurgery

Can professional growth include coaching? How can a career coach help me personally and professionally? You are going to find out today as we sit down with Certified Professional Career Coach Phyllis Quinlan, PhD, RN! As the President and CEO of MFW Consultants to Professionals and the Career Coach for AORN, Phyllis brings 40+ years of nursing experience and over 20 years of coaching experience to our conversation today. How can we identify our character strengths? What blindspots do we have to our own behaviors? How can we let go of behaviors that are no longer serving us? We will discuss all of this and more on today’s episode. Don’t miss it! Love our show? Download our First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G #OperatingRoom #Surgery #Perioperative #ProfessionalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Coaching #ProfessionalCoaching #Coach

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNL. In this article, Lindsey discusses the fire triangle, and the importance of fire safety training in our ORs.   "Which is why education is the key to these preventable disasters. All of the surgical team, from the surgeon and anesthesiologist to the circulator and scrub, to the other staff within the department MUST know what is required of them should a fire occur. Equally as important, however, is that all of these same team members know what role they play in fire prevention." ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #FireSafety

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this thought-provoking article, Melanie uses a gardening metaphor to remind OR Leaders to be visible and to be pay attention to their employees so they are able to pick up on any issues quickly.  ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Leadership

What have you heard about UV-C Disinfection? Are all low-level disinfection devices created equally? Find out the truth about UV-C disinfection in this exciting First Case Vendor SpotlightTM with Gunner Lyslo, Founder and CEO of Surfacide. Learn how low-level disinfection with UV-C energy significantly reduces the presence of viruses and bacteria, and find out how it disinfects colonized surfaces in our operating rooms.  We’ll also discover how providing an added layer of disinfection with Surfacide’s Best-in-Class Helios System increases patient, surgeon, and employee confidence, builds patient loyalty, and even improves HCAHPS scores. If you want to be confident that your operating rooms aren’t harboring an enemy that you can’t see, tune in today! You can learn more about the world’s only American made, patented, triple emitter robotic UV-C light solution available on the market today by visiting www.surfacide.com.  You can also follow Surfacide on LinkedIn and Facebook. #operatingroom #vendorspotlight #infectionprevention #disinfection #UVCDisinfection #education #podcast #perioperative

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, we've teamed up with OR Manager to bring you great insights into negotiating anesthesia contracts. Find out what successful negotiation means and learn what mistakes to avoid. Plus, tune in for a special discount to the OR Business Management Conference, just for First Case listeners! ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #surgery #perioperative #AOTG #anesthesia #ORManager

What will 3 hip replacements in 4 years get you? If you’re Johnny Caffaro, CEO & Founder of Caffaro Way, it will give you the lived experience as a hip-replacement patient, a strong personal brand to tell your story, and a heart for teaching others how to advocate for themselves and for their care. Join us as Johnny shares his story, find out how he built his personal brand through the power of social media, and learn how YOU can be an advocate for your surgical care. Don’t miss this powerful bonus episode! Love our show? Download our First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G #OperatingRoom #Surgery #SocialMedia #Influencer #PatientExperience #Advocate #PatientCare

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this playful poem, Melanie highlights the hard work of those in the operating room, especially during the holiday season, and reminds us all that what we do every single day makes a difference in the lives of our patients.  ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Christmas

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, she shares critical insights on the importance of disaster preparation, training, and readiness for our healthcare facilities.   "And that is why preparation is key. Take the time to prepare for internal and external disasters before they occur. Run the fire drills, tornado drills, evacuation drills, and malignant hypothermia drills. Learn them when the stakes aren't high and the pressure is low, so that when the time comes, you can fall back on what you've already learned and you'll be able to successfully navigate whatever disaster you find yourself in." ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #surgery #perioperative #AOTG #patientsafety #patient #training #healthcare

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Brenna Page, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNAMB, she shares what it was like to be on the other side of the stretcher and the perspective that she gained as a recent surgical patient.  "I was recently a patient myself. I was already familiar with the facility, and the staff was made up of people that I work with, yet I was still nervous. I haven’t had surgery in well over 10 years, but this experience provided me with the fresh perspective I needed to improve the care that I give to my own patients. I made a mental note of 11 different things, and I want to share them with you today. Hopefully they'll be a good reminder to you as well as you're caring for your patients." ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #surgery #perioperative #AOTG #patientexperience #patient

What do revenue models have to do with the profitability of your Operating Room? How is the changing landscape going to impact the bottom line of your hospitals today and into the future? From charge stickers on every item, to capitation rates and merit-based incentive pay, we’re all experiencing a transformation in the payment structure of patient care even if we can't quite get our minds around it. In this First Case Vendor Spotlight™ interview, we dive into this hot topic in healthcare with Dan Pfister, President of United Pathways, Inc. Join us as we discuss the tension between delivering patient care within our current silos and hand-offs, and the new world of hospital finance that is coming for all of us. Tune in to find out how to prepare your OR team for the transformation that is coming, and learn about how you can play a part as change agent right where you are! For more information, you can connect with Dan on LinkedIn or email him at dan.pfister@unitedpathways.com. You can also visit https://unitedpathways.com/ to learn more!    #operatingroom #supplychain #vendorspotlight #revenue #healthcare

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, she shares her experience scrubbing an open heart case for the very first time. "Repetition is the key to mastering any surgical specialty. The major portions of a CABG that require precise knowledge of steps is cannulation (going on the heart/lung machine) and doing anastomosis. You better know those steps backwards, forwards and in your sleep or else things can go bad fast. Learning these was by far the hardest part of learning to scrub hearts..." ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #surgery #perioperative #AOTG #heartsurgery #CVOR #openheart

Surgeons need high-quality instruments that are dependable and guaranteed to work, every single time. But not all surgical instruments are created equal in terms of precision, durability, and quality. In today’s First Case Vendor Spotlight, Dr. Mark Jewell, a recognized world leader in plastic surgery, shares his experiences using Stille instruments, which are exclusively distributed in the US by Synovis, MCA. Did you know that the vast majority of Stille instruments are handcrafted by their highly skilled instrument makers in Eskilstuna, west of Stockholm, Sweden? The instruments’ journey from a rod of stainless steel to a finished instrument is a long one, involving multiple stages. Stille’s unique method of crafting its instrument materials, and its usage of only the very highest-grade steels, give their instruments their unique feel and durability. Tune in as Dr. Jewell discusses Stille's light, well-balanced, precision workmanship and learn more about the benefits of using Stille Instruments, including how they improve clinical outcomes, in this exciting interview! Stille makes a variety of high-quality instruments including supercut scissors, needle holders, forceps, ronguers, clamps, retractors, curettes, osteotomes, and micro instruments. To learn more, visit Stille’s website at sales.us@stille.se.  You can also visit their professional and experienced US Distributor, Synovis MCA, at www.synovismicro.com.    #operatingroom #surgery #instruments #precision #podcast #vendorspotlight #firstcase

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he shares 5 tips to get started controlling the inventory of the surgery department. "By standardizing our processes, our teams know where to look for supplies, and our materials management teams can more easily keep our shelves stocked. This has the added benefit of improving our efficiency and productivity. And by keeping open lines of communication, we are reducing the possibility of last-minute stress from unordered supplies or out of stock items" ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #surgery #perioperative #AOTG

What if there were an intuitive solution that could help prevent surgical fires and related patient burns? Would you have greater peace of mind if you knew that your patient and the surgical drapes could be protected from the heat generated by your light cables? Joining us in this special Fire Safety Week First Case Vendor Spotlight™ is Kamil Makhnejia, VP of Clinical Development at Jackson Medical, discussing their straight-forward solution that creates a safer standard of care for our patients.  Whether we’re talking about laparoscopic, arthroscopic, or cystoscopic surgical cases, all of them require the use of a light source. And all of them carry a risk of surgical fire due to the heat generated by using a light cable. During this exclusive interview, you’ll learn how GloShield™ is effectively reducing the risk of surgical fires and patient burns through its proactive approach to patient safety. Find out how this hard-working, intuitive device can protect your patients, your staff, and your Operating Room from the damaging effects of a surgical fire. Tune in today!  You can learn more about GloShield and Jackson Medical by visiting https://gloshield.com or by emailing them at info@gloshield.com. Don't forget to follow them on LinkedIn and Facebook for even more educational content!  #operatingroom #surgery #firesafety #SurgicalFire #fireprevention #education #vendorspotlight #podcast #firstcase

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he shares how we can increase overall room utilization in surgery.  "The ultimate goal of blocks is to improve the overall utilization of the OR by rewarding those physicians that consistently use their time. By taking a deeper look at how block time is released at your facility, and determining whether or not it is specialty-specific, or if you have a one-size-fits-all approach, you can increase overall room utilization within your department." ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #surgery #perioperative #AOTG

It’s no secret that onboarding new staff is a very resource-intensive process. Traditionally, new hires are at the mercy of their trainer’s experience and competency level, and it can be challenging to ensure that every new surgical resident, surgical technician or OR circulator is receiving a thorough orientation. We need to be able to train our new employees consistently, thoroughly, and effectively – but how?   In this First Case Vendor Spotlight, join us in discovering Incision Academy and Incision Assist – two technologies that can improve the resource efficiency of onboarding all surgical personnel. Tune in as we explore the platforms that were built BY healthcare professionals FOR healthcare professionals. With over 600 courses, Incision Academy covers everything from safety, to procedures, to devices and skills. Their high-quality videos with 3D inlays and animations are laid out in a step-by-step, easy to follow format, and all are mapped to ASA and AST core curriculum. Incision Academy supports innovative online training and can be complemented with on-the-job support through Incision Assist. Incision Assist contains all preference cards and information needed to be optimally prepared for a day in the OR. Everyone on the team can maintain and update cards, which means that communication across the surgical team will be improved. Let Incision help you improve your education, training, and productivity – tune in to learn how!   You can learn more by visiting www.incision.care. You can also follow Incision on LinkedIn and Facebook.   #operatingroom #surgery #technology #Incision #communication #education #learning

In this special Bonus Episode, we talk to our very own Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN. Paul’s 45 year career has spanned every position in healthcare, from orderly, to OR nurse, to CEO, and entrepreneur. Join us as we celebrate his contributions to the operating room, reflect on the mentors who shaped him throughout his career, and listen as he shares valuable lessons that he learned along the way. While he may be retiring, and stepping down from his role as co-host of the podcast, he will always be a part of our team at First Case. Happy Retirement, Paul! Love our show? Download our First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G #operatingroom #surgery #podcast #mentor #retirement #ORNurse

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, she shares 5 tips to help new-to-the-OR, experienced nurses succeed in the operating room.   "Whatever the reason [the nurse came to the OR], we want to ensure they have a successful transition from their previous specialty to the peri-operative specialty." ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #surgery #perioperative #AOTG

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he discusses the many changes he has seen since 1977, and what he has learned in the process.  "So, this brings me back to the patient.  We get so wrapped up in meeting performance targets that the patient becomes an afterthought.  We have to strive for balance in achieving realistic goals with personalized care.  Because, after all, our patients are our primary focus, and the reason that we are in the operating room." ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #surgery #perioperative #AOTG

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, she shares insight into how we can help new grads find success in the Operating Room.  "New grads in the OR will be one of the answers to the nursing shortage that’s plaguing many institutions across the country. It’s up to us to help them succeed so they want to stay in the OR for their nursing profession." ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #operatingroom #newgrad #surgery #perioperative

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he evaluates the Pre-Admission Testing department, and explains ways to improve efficiency.  "Finding ways to make it easier for the RNs in Pre-Admission Testing to collect information and improving efficiency within this department will reduce cost and esure that all patient information is available prior to the patient's procedure." ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Productivity #Perioperative

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he discusses what factors should be considered when determining whether or not to allow a surgeon to flip rooms. "One of the most important variables is how many cases can be done in a day, and how consistent the surgeon is in bringing enough volume to fill a day." Tune in to hear more!  ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Productivity #Perioperative

Should sterile fields be covered? What do the guidelines say? How can you cover them safely? Tune in to this exciting First Case Vendor Spotlight with Laurel Stebbins, Clinical Specialist at TIDI Products, to get the answers to these questions and more! Sterile-Z is the only product on the market designed specifically to cover the sterile field. In this exclusive interview, we discuss the common practices and misconceptions about covering sterile fields and go over the current AORN guidelines that impact frontline OR clinicians. We also dive into how the Sterile-Z drape standardizes the Operating Room's process for covering sterile fields, removes confusion, and helps eliminate contamination.   For more information on the Sterile-Z drape and TIDI Products, follow them on: Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/tidi-products-llc/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TidiProducts  Sterile-Z Website - https://www.tidiproducts.com/product-listing/sterile-z-covers #TIDI #SterileZ #SterileField #MayoCovers #Surgery #OperatingRoom #Compliance #AORN #FirstCase #VendorSpotlight 

When was the last time your surgical instrument tray "recipes" were revised? Was it when you added something new? What about when an instrument is removed? In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he discusses how our trays and count sheets should be optimized so that our trays are accurate and so that unused instruments are removed. "By optimizing the trays, you are apt to find improved accuracy rates and fewer missing items." It takes a team approach to tackle the challenge of optimizing trays, but the end results are worth it! ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #InstrumentTrays #Optimization #Perioperative

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In it she draws an interesting parallel between what she noticed in a hair salon and how we should be treating new grads in our own department.  "New grads are eager to learn. When we're willing to bring them into the environment, or department, that they want to work in, and then we take the time to invest in them, we create that career OR nurse who is confident, secure in their abilities, and able to pass that on to the next generation of new grads." Tune in to hear more! ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #GiveNewGradsAChance #Perioperative

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN. In it he offers practical suggestions that can make procedure day more efficient and cost effective.   If you have trouble getting your first cases of the day started on time, then you don't want to miss Paul's 4 key areas of opportunity that will help improve those on-time starts!  ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #OnTimeStarts #Efficiency #Productivity

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In it she discusses something that has become so engrained in us as healthcare professionals, that we might not even realize that it exists.  "Think about it: we work in a high-stakes, high-risk environment. One mistake could cost a patient their lives, or cost us our license and careers. There really is no room for error. But we come to work, day in and day out, shouldering that responsibility, oftentimes without giving it a second thought. This is just what we do and it's part of the job." Tune in to hear more about the burden of perfection, and to get Melanie's advice for how to carry it! ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Perfection #JustCulture

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In it she discusses her experience with a Joint Commission survey, and shares 4 helpful tips to decrease any anxiety you may have about speaking with a surveyor.  Tune in to hear Melanie's advice and increase your confidence when answering questions during a survey! ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #TheJointCommission

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN. In it he discusses the different factors that affect productivity in the operating room.  "One of the greatest challenges to matching productivity standards and achieving a benchmark is ensuring that you are including and excluding similar roles within the department." Tune in to learn more about productivity and find out what questions you must consider before determining the productivity standard for your perioperative area.  ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Productivity #Consistency

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In it she discusses how dangerous it can be to have an attitude that says, "that might be how we're 'supposed' to do it, but let me show you how we really do it."  "When an attitude or culture exists within an OR that allows, or even prioritizes, personal preference or convenience over following established guidelines designed to ensure patient safety or prevent infection, we're setting ourselves up for disaster."  Tune in to hear more about fostering an atmosphere that prioritizes everyday compliance! ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #PatientCare

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN where he discusses how both "sequential processes and parallel processes must be performed like a symphony orchestra to perform a flawless case." Tune in to hear Paul address these different processes and how they can be improved to increase efficiency. ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Efficiency

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR. In it she discusses her experience during orientation in the operating room, and shares helpful tips for anyone else on orientation.  "I will never forget my first day on orientation in surgery. Total information overload - I had a deer-in-the-headlights look that everyone could see from a mile away. I watched a surgeon do a knee scope and I remember thinking, "What have I gotten myself into??!" My anxiety level was sky-high. I'm pretty sure I questioned all of my career choices at that one moment...." Tune in to learn more about surgical orientation and learn a few tips to ensure success! ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #Orientation

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR. In it she discusses realities of patient care in the OR, and the misconceptions that other nursing departments have about the job that we do.  "I work in a very specialized field. Alot of the skills I learned in nursing school and then practiced when I worked on the floor just don't apply in the OR. But while my skill set is unique, my goal to provide the safest and best care for my patients is the same as every other nurse. How I care for my patients, though, is very different. But different does not mean non-existent." Tune in to hear more about patient care in the operating room! ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #PatientCare

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR. In it she discusses the importance of communication between the entire surgical team, and how fundamental effective communication is to patient safety.   "The consent, the surgical posting, the patient interview, the time out, and the handoff are all times when effective communication is critical. These interactions, either with the patient or about the patient, lay the foundation for a safe surgical experience. Don’t overlook these opportunities, or discredit their value. Each of them is communicating information we need in order to safely care for our patients. And our patients are depending on us to get it right." ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo #PatientSafety #Communication