Archives: Episode

Robotic surgery has become the gold standard for many minimally invasive surgeries, but getting the technology set up in the operating room involves more than just buying a machine. Is our OR big enough? Do we have the right instruments and sterile supplies? What about sterile processing? These questions (and so many more!) must be…

This week’s episode of the First Case “Articles On-The-Go” series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN where he highlights five common reasons new OR staff leave your hospital: “With the average age of an Operating Room nurse now over 50 years old, there will be new nurses joining your organization in the future….

OR managers & directors, when was the last time you wore scrubs at work? When was the last time you were physically present in the OR? Do your staff members know what you look like? Being a visible director in a busy OR is challenging, and can be difficult to manage alongside other leadership responsibilities….

This week’s episode of the First Case “Articles On-The-Go” series features, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN discussing seven critical indicators for high performing Operating Rooms: “Blocks are meant for high volume surgeons who can fill a room. It should be a “reward” for consistent utilization. Blocks should be utilized at the 85% rate. If physician…

This week’s episode of the First Case “Articles On-The-Go” series features, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN discussing common misconceptions around measuring & evaluating surgery turnover times: “While turnover time can provide some measure of efficiency, it is important not to rely on this number alone to determine how well your surgery department is running. In…

This week’s episode of the First Case “Articles On-The-Go” series features, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN and Hank Balch, BS, MDiv, CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL discussing the critical importance of SPD & OR teamwork: “Much of a facility’s blaming/shaming culture can be tracked back to certain individuals who see it as their mission in life…

“Where’s my tray?” “How’d you break the scope?” “Why aren’t you precleaning?” “Agh, they messed it up again!” If you’ve worked in the operating room for any amount of time, you know that the relationship between the OR and SPD can be strained. For two departments that so heavily depend upon each other, the relationship…

This week’s episode of the First Case “Articles On-The-Go” series features, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN discussing challenges in pre-operative preparation: “It is one of the great mysteries of life that some offices can have all of the information available days in advance, including the H&P, while others struggle getting it to you before the…