Archives: Episode

The AORN Expo is not just another conference—it’s an immersive, high-energy event packed with education, networking, and hands-on learning opportunities! As thousands of perioperative professionals prepare to gather in historic Boston from April 5–8, 2025, making the most of this experience requires some strategic planning. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned Expo veteran,…

Ever think about how clean your stethoscope really is? 🤔 On this special release episode of First Case, we’re teaming up with Transmission Control to tackle a hidden but serious infection risk—stethoscope hygiene! Join us as we chat with Scott Mader, CEO & Founder of AseptiScope, about how stethoscopes can become overlooked vectors for infection…

Season 14 is a wrap! And while we wait for Season 15, we’re bringing you an audio version of an interview we did with Stella Yau during Perioperative Nurses Week! In this interview, we’re talking with Stella Yau about her experience as a perioperative nurse in the US Navy. As she tells her story, you’ll…

🚨 SEASON 14 FINALE! 🚨 What happens before a surgeon steps into the OR? How do we know they’re actually qualified to perform a procedure? 🤔 In the Season 14 finale of #FirstCase, we’re pulling back the curtain on credentialing and privileging with Nyleen Flores, Chief Administrative Officer at Lake Oconee Orthopedics. She’s diving deep…

Suture is something every OR professional encounters daily, yet many of us were never properly taught how much about them. Why is suture sizing so confusing? What’s the difference between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, and when should each be used? In this episode of First Case, we’re diving deep into the world of suture, breaking…

Trendelenburg is a common position in the OR, but are we truly positioning patients safely? In this episode of First Case, we welcome back David Gomez, nurse anesthetist and CEO of Infinitus Medical, to uncover the risks, misconceptions, and best practices for safe Trendelenburg positioning. In today’s episode we’ll discuss: 🔹 Why degree and duration…

Positioning patients in the OR isn’t just about access to the surgical site—it’s about preventing serious injuries. From nerve damage and tissue ischemia to long-term functional impairment, improper positioning can have devastating consequences. But with the right knowledge and attention to detail, many of these injuries are completely preventable. Tune in as Chris and Melanie…

Are all of the PPE rules we have in the OR really necessary? Joining us this week to uncover the purpose behind the rules and guidelines is Jill Holdsworth, Infection Prevention Manager at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia. Tune in as Jill breaks down the basics of PPE and its critical role in…

How do we approach sterility and proper technique in ways that prioritize patient safety and best practices? And why does it matter? In today’s episode, Chris and Melanie are diving into the nitty-gritty details of sterile technique — because in the Operating Room, there’s no room for “good enough.” Tune in to find out why…

Is charting really that important? Joining us today to discuss the vital role that documentation plays in the operating room is Anna Gray, RNFA and Legal Nurse Consultant. From understanding what to document to exploring the connection between nurses’ notes and surgeons’ operative reports, Anna shares her expertise on why every detail matters. Tune in…