First Case Podcast

Welcome to a new season of the First Case podcast - Sterile Processing 101! We're kicking off the season with a conversation that sets the foundation for the entire series and challenges a big misconception: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗺… 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗥. In this conversation with Jen Parrott, we introduce the full instrument reprocessing lifecycle and explore why understanding...

What do the plaque on your teeth, soap scum, and slippery rocks down by the creek all have in common? They're all examples of biofilm! But these aren't the only places that biolfims can form – they can also be found on our surgical instruments and inside our bodies. Joining us today to talk about all things biofilm is Mike Matthews, Director of Customer Education at Agiliti. In this interview, we'...

General surgery is where many perioperative nurses begin their OR journey. It's one of the most diverse and foundational specialties in the operating room, touching everything from colorectal and thyroid cases to breast, abdominal, and head & neck procedures. In this First Case Articles-On-The-Go , Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR breaks down the Top 10 things OR teams should know about general surger...

How long can pathogens live on a surface? What is the likelihood that we are transferring organisms from surfaces we touch to our patients or to our family members? Joining us today to discuss microbiology and infection prevention is Dr. Wava Truscott, Director of Regulatory Affairs and clinical Education at Shield Technology, Inc. Learn with us as Wava discusses environmental contamination, patho...

What is the MAUDE Database, and what does it have to do with the Operating Room? Answering this question and connecting the dots for us today is Dr. Larry Muscarella, PhD, President and Principal at LFM Healthcare Solutions, LLC. Tune in as we dive into the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) Database, as we discuss medical devices like gastroscopes and flexible endoscopes and...

Organ procurement and transplant surgeries are among the most unique and emotionally powerful cases the OR team may encounter. And while they may not happen often, or in every facility, when they do occur, preparation, collaboration, and advocacy matter more than ever. In this First Case Articles-On-The-Go , Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, walks through the Top 10 things perioperative teams should k...

What simple, everyday actions are derailing your infection prevention program? Tune in to this discussion with Erica Smith, Surgical Solutions Manager at Henry Schein Medical as we discuss 4 common missteps in Infection Prevention. We'll discuss how 4, "simple" actions can have significant impact on the health of our patients, and Erica will provide insight into the ways that we can improve. Don't...

Cardiac surgery is definitely its own specialty, and not all perioperative professionals are familiar with the CVOR. But we're all familiar with the fundamentals of infection prevention. Here to highlight the specifics of infection prevention in cardiac surgery is Ruth Statchura, MBA, RN, Vice President of Business Development at C Change Surgical. In this episode, we'll discuss some of the common...

When seconds matter and the unexpected becomes routine, trauma teams rise to the challenge. In this First Case Articles On-The-Go: Top 10 Trauma Surgery , Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, highlights the foundational principles every perioperative professional should understand when facing trauma. From constant readiness and mastering Massive Transfusion Protocols to supporting anesthesia, coordinatin...

As we wrap Season 18 of First Case , we turn the spotlight to the role that keeps everything moving behind the scenes: the Clinical Coordinator. In our final episode, Rod McArdle of Boston Children's Hospital shares how clinical coordinators balance scheduling, staffing, equipment, and real-time problem solving to keep surgical care running safely and efficiently. From anticipating equipment confl...

Caring for pediatric surgical patients requires more than simply adapting adult practices. It demands a specialized, family-centered approach. In this  First Case: Articles On-The-Go episode, Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, walks through essential fundamentals every perioperative nurse should know, from maintaining a warm OR and using weight-based medication dosing to protecting delicate skin, prepa...

"Where are your trays?" Few phrases spike stress levels faster, and often, all eyes turn to the person in the red hat. But what  really happens behind the scenes before those trays ever reach your back table? In this powerful Operation: Collaboration episode, we pull back the curtain with medical device regional sales manager Bruce Finney to reveal the real world of vendor reps: high-pressure prep...

This week, we're stepping outside the OR and into the world of Facilities, the department quietly powering everything from air and water to electricity, pressure, and environmental safety. Without them, surgeries simply don't happen. Join us as we talk with seasoned facilities consultant Kathy Neal about how Facilities' teams keep the surgical environment safe, compliant, and running through power...

We might not be celebrating Perioperative Nurses Week this week, but we've always got time to shine a spotlight on perioperative nursing.  In this week's Articles On-The-Go , Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR shares her own journey into perioperative nursing. From thinking the ICU was her forever home to finding unexpected inspiration in the operating room, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the...

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 audits, refills, and real-time problem solving, Zaha...

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 blood bank can...

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 pulls back the curtain...

Perfect imaging every time. No repairs. No reprocessing. Could single-use arthroscopes be the answer? On this special Beyond Clean, First Case, Power Supply, and Transmission Control Vendor Spotlight™ co-release episode, we're joined by Rich McKillop, CEO of Pristine Surgical , to explore how their Summit™ 4K Single-Use Arthroscope is redefining what efficiency looks like in the OR. Learn how this...

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 supports surgical care before, during, and after the procedure. From j...

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, she draws a powerful parallel between airl...

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 onboarding new surgeons and managing backorders to building trust, improving...

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 to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy...

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 times. As w...

Orthopedics is one of the busiest, and most equipment-intensive, service lines in health care. In this First Case Articles on the Go episode, Lindsay Joyce and Melanie Perry break down the Top 10 (plus one) foundational things every perioperative professional should know about working in orthopedic surgery. From nerve blocks and imaging to implants, positioning, labs, and dressings, this episode f...

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 complex s...