Podcast: First Case

Have you ever wondered what really happens behind the ‘black door’ between the OR and pharmacy? 👀💊 In this week’s First Case interview, we sit down with Zahara, an experienced inpatient pharmacist from San Diego, to uncover the unseen work that keeps surgical care safe and moving. From medication shortages and regulatory compliance to constant…

This week our Operation: Collaboration season continues with a deep dive into the often-unseen world of the Lab. In this episode, former laboratory associate supervisor turned OR nurse Anna Goodman bridges both sides of the specimen cup, breaking down cultures versus permanents, demystifying frozen sections, and explaining how real-time communication between the OR, pathology, and…

Sterile processing doesn’t run on magic, despite what we may sometimes think. In today’s interview, we’re joined by Angela Benson, a sterile processing education specialist, to talk about what really happens to our instruments long before they ever reach the back table. From decontamination and assembly to sterilization, documentation, and case cart build, this conversation…

Radiology is one of those departments that we rely on every single day in the OR, but don’t always stop to think about how much coordination is required for our two departments to work together. In this second episode of Operation: Collaboration, we sit down with April Hughes, a radiologic technologist, to explore how radiology…

What does a canceled flight have in common with a canceled surgical case? More than you might think. In today’s article, Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR shares a personal travel story that unexpectedly reframed how she thinks about case cancellations by seeing them through the patient’s perspective. Through delays, rebookings, confusion, and loss of control,…

We’re kicking off Season 18 of First Case with a topic that impacts every single case we run, but doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves: supply chain. In this season premiere, we’re joined by Gary Skinner of Discover S3 Consulting to talk about what really happens behind the scenes to make surgery possible. From…

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. Happy Holidays! ——- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy…

Happy Holidays! As we celebrate the season, we’re giving you a special bonus episode of First Case featuring Phyllis Quinlan, RN, President and CEO of MFW Consultants. In this timely conversation, Phyllis shares powerful insights on navigating persistent uncertainty, reframing “change” as growth and evolution, and leading teams with empathy, clarity, and solidarity during unprecedented…

Gynecology surgery presents unique challenges that require preparation, precision, and strong clinical awareness. In this new First Case: Articles on the Go episode, Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, shares 10 essential insights every perioperative professional should know before stepping into a GYN case, from preventing nerve injuries and ensuring privacy to managing equipment and verifying…

In our season finale of First Case, we unpack two OR practices that many of us have seen (or done!), from adjusting surgical loupes with blue towels to the truly legendary myth of “perineal fallout.” This episode blends humor, history, and evidence-based practice as we talk about why some habits stick, how outdated ideas persist,…