Succession: Making the case for OR management
First article in a 2-part series. Management should be the job people aspire to, says John Olmstead, MBS, RN, CNOR, FACHE, director of surgical services and emergency department at The Community...
View ArticleWho will replace retiring perioperative nurses?
Perioperative leaders are actively planning for future staffing needs. Still, the majority (56%) say they’re having problems filling staff nurse positions. And two-thirds (68%) anticipate problems in...
View ArticleSynergies are flowing from combined ST, CS role
A float position that combines the duties of a surgical technologist (ST) and a central service (CS) technician creates closer ties between the OR and CS departments and improved morale in CS for a...
View ArticleNew on-call plan helps to stabilize the staff and budget
A heavy call schedule at one community hospital was driving the perioperative staff away and raising concerns about patient safety because of staff fatigue. With a staff turnover rate of 40% in 2007,...
View ArticleORs modifying on-call practices to recruit and retain nursing staff
On-call requirements in perioperative services can be a barrier to recruiting younger RNs and in retaining older nurses. Covering the daily surgical schedule with fatigued staff who have worked during...
View Article‘Second victim’ rapid-response team helps fellow clinicians recover from trauma
One Friday evening at University of Missouri Health System (MUHS) in Columbia, Missouri, Tony*, an RN with more than 17 years of critical care nursing experience, had a patient die unexpectedly during...
View ArticleDiverse communication styles are most effective for managing...
Because people are living and working longer, 4 generations of employees are now toiling side by side—and not always in harmony. Creating a workplace where all generations can thrive is both...
View ArticleBuilding cohesion, community, and commitment across multiple generations...
Managing today’s multigenerational perioperative workforce can seem daunting, but understanding the strengths of each group and knowing how best to communicate with them can turn challenges into More »...
View ArticleWords of wisdom: OR leaders offer tips for new managers
Surgical services is endowed with a large number of senior nurse leaders. The average age of perioperative nursing managers and directors is 55, and on average, they have been in nursing 30.5 years,...
View ArticleSurgical liaisons: The bridge between the OR and family members
Surgery is a stressful time not only for patients but also for their families. Using a surgical liaison to communicate the status of an operation to those in the waiting area has boosted the...
View Article‘Territorial games’ aim to help curb disruptive behavior in the OR
The OR environment plays host to a perfect storm of high stakes, time constraints, and egos. As a surgical services director, you’ve likely seen your share of disruptive behavior, and your hospital...
View ArticleInnovative nurse training program bolsters interest in OR career
Like most OR leaders, Doug Robinson, BSN, RN, CNOR, manager of the Roberts Operating Rooms at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, wants a steady supply of OR nurses. Robinson has reached back...
View ArticleTrain, sustain, retain: Targeted recruitment reduces hospital openings from...
What would you do if you had more than 50 open positions and 40 travel nurses in your OR? If you were part of the team at University of Virginia Medical Center (UVAMC) in Charlottesville, you would get...
View ArticleMorale boosters can make your hospital a desirable place to work
Google is the best company in America to work for, according to Fortune Magazine. Thousands of smart, creative individuals want to work there, not only for perks like nap rooms and free food, but also...
View ArticleDon’t let depression derail your staff’s morale and motivation
Depression affects 9% of adults in the US and 18% of hospital-employed nurses, including those who work in perioperative settings. Nurses with depression not only suffer themselves, but their illness...
View ArticleMandatory BSN program launched in response to IOM recommendation
Nearly 4 years have passed since the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued the recommendation for 80% of RNs to get their bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree by 2020. To achieve that goal, the IOM...
View ArticleFocused competencies give anesthesia technicians a leg up on the efficiency...
Demand for anesthesia technicians is on the rise, according to a recent Chicago Tribune headline. The article touts the position as a way to “work in the operating room without going to medical...
View ArticleFormer pilot applies aviation skills to perioperative nursing
As a Navy veteran, airline pilot, and flight nurse, Lisa Reeves, RN, performed safety checklists for nearly 15 years. When Reeves became a perioperative nurse 2 years ago, she was pleasantly surprised...
View ArticleStaff vacation gridlock eased by innovative allocation system
Developing a vacation selection process that is fair to everyone can be a daunting challenge for OR managers. The right balance between flexibility and adequate coverage can make or break staff...
View ArticleWise use of social media can enhance your professional career
Privacy violations, work distractions, wasting time—with all these risks, who needs social media? You do. Social media is key for OR leaders to successfully manage their professional lives. Savvy...
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