Archives: Episode

Can you imagine an operating room where nothing was disposable? Where drapes were made out of cloth, IV bottles were made out of glass, and where you powdered the surgeon’s gloves before sending them to be sterilized? On this episode of the First Case podcast, we sit down with Monica Weisbrich, BSN, RN, to discuss…

This week’s episode of the First Case “Articles On-The-Go” series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN and Hank Balch, BS, MDiv where they tackle the topic of inaccurate preference lists: “So yes, the best way to solve your preference list and case picking woes is to hardwire a simple process into your workflow…

Have you ever seen a case cart taped shut, with the words “NO STEALING!” written across the tape? Have you ever grabbed instruments or supplies that you needed off the nearest case cart? Or, have you ever been the one who’s instruments or supplies were taken? Pilfering supplies from the nearest case cart when we…

This week’s episode of the First Case “Articles On-The-Go” series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN where he discusses challenges around efficient OR scheduling practices: “Block scheduling in the operating room has become a common practice at many hospitals across the country. By providing surgeons with a regular block of time for performing…

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…