First Case Podcast

 Have you ever considered how important it is for those of us who work in healthcare to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation? In today's discussion, we're going to speak with a prominent voice in healthcare reform, Rebecca Love, Chief Clinical Officer at IntelyCare . Discover the current state of nursing and what historical events led up to the current reimbursement models we find ourselve...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR. In it she discusses realities of patient care in the OR, and the misconceptions that other nursing departments have about the job that we do.  "I work in a very specialized field. A lot of the skills I learned in nursing school and then practiced when I worked on the floor just don't apply...

Have you ever wanted to make the jump from bedside nurse to business owner? In this Special Release interview with Cara Lunsford, RN, CPHON, and VP of Community at Nurse.com, we're going to find out what motivated her to step away from the bedside and into the world of entrepreneurship. Tune in to hear her story and to learn about the nursing community she has created. Plus, discover tips for gett...

Surgical Technologists play a critical role in Infection Prevention. Their knowledge of aseptic technique and their ability to safeguard the surgical field from breaks in sterility are crucial for positive patient outcomes. Joining us today to discuss the education, training, and role of surgical techs in Infection Prevention is Ron Kruzel, Executive Director at ARC/STSA. In this interview we'll u...

How much time do you spend making surgical slush before or during a case? Have you ever considered how long your open surgical slush is exposed to airborne contaminants and fluid-loving pathogens?  In this First Case Vendor Spotlight TM  we sit down with Ruth Stachura, MBA, RN, Vice President Business Development at  ° C Change Surgical,  to discover the benefits of a closed and fully-automated su...

Have you ever heard the term "surgical conscience"? Do you know what it means? Joining us today to discuss this critical component in surgical care is Danielle Quintana, PhD, MSN-ED, RN, CNOR-E, Assistant Professor, University of Houston Gessner College of Nursing. Tune in as we discover what defines surgical conscience, the 3 components that is has, and how surgical conscience is connected with i...

Have you ever wondered just what the Infection Preventionist (IP) was doing when they came into your Operating Room? Well, you're not alone! In this season premiere of Season 9, we speak to Jill Holdsworth, Manager of Infection Prevention at Emory University Hospital Midtown. In this episode, we're going to learn about the role of the IP in the hospital, what they're looking for when they come int...

"We don't have enough space!" "Where is all of this old equipment supposed to go?" If this sounds familiar, and you've got a basement or warehouse full of old, unused equipment, then tune in to this eye-opening Vendor Spotlight TM  with  Ashley Jackson, VP of Business Development and Curtis McEntire, Founder and CEO at  Mazree . Most hospitals do not have an asset disposition program, which leaves...

Simulation is seen as a valuable educational resource to aid in staff development, but competing demands for time and resources can present challenges in incorporating this hands-on learning into perioperative education plans. Listen to this session from OR Manager Conference 2022 to learn new ways to work hands-on learning into your staffing schedule. The next OR Manager Conference is September 1...

We've partnered with OR Manager to bring you a bonus special-release episode! Tune in to this session from OR Manager Conference 2022, Understanding Health Equity through Clinical Storytelling, to learn the historical precedence and the social determinants of health, how quality care delivery requires that clinicians listen to and respect their patients' individual narratives, backgrounds, and exp...

While we wait for Season 18, here's a throwback to Season 8!  How do our body language, our situational awareness, and our ability to listen play into our ability to communicate? Find out in today's interview with Kristy Wheeler, RN and OR Nurse Leader! Listening is a critical component of communication, and we can't communicate effectively if we can't listen. Developing good listening skills is i...

Have you ever grabbed a power tool off of your backtable only to be horrified when bioburden fell out of it? If you've ever experienced this, you'll want to tune in to this First Case Vendor Spotlight TM  with Jason Moonen, Product Manager at Aesculap! We're going to discover the ELAN® 4 Power System today, the only micro power system that you can flush internally from proximal to distal end. This...

Season 17 has come to an end, but while we wait for Season 18, here's a throwback to Season 8! What should I include on my resume? What questions should I be asking? Discover the answer to these questions and more in today's interview with Krista Whiting, VP of healthcare recruitment at Parkwood International . As an experienced healthcare recruiter, Krista offers her years of insight to us as she...

Have you experienced bullying in your department? Whether you've witnessed it or experienced it personally, bullying is very common in nursing and in the operating room, unfortunately. Joining us today to talk about this all-too-common topic are Andrea Dyer, Training Manager, and Sarah Griffin, Perioperative Clinical Coordinator, for the Satellite Operating Rooms at Boston Children's Hospital. In...

When a neurodivergent patient needs surgery, how do we communicate with them? Do we speak only to the caregiver, or do we take the time to talk with our patient? Teaching us about the communication needs of neurodivergent patients through her own experience is Paige Sanzo, RN, OR Charge nurse, and mom to an autistic son. Join us as she shares her story, telling us about her son's experiences with...

How can we help children have a positive surgical experience? What role does anticipatory guidance play in helping kids understand the procedure they're going to have? Joining us today to help us better understand how to communicate with children is Erica Basora, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR, Clinical Specialist at Northside Hospital. We'll discuss the different needs of children based on their growth an...

"It's on backorder." How many times have you heard that answer when you asked why a needed supply wasn't on the shelf? Wouldn't it be better if your team knew ahead of time that items weren't available, and they knew what steps were already being taken to resolve the issue? In today's interview with Suzi Collins, Market Director of Supply Chain at Steward Healthcare, we're going to be talking abou...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR. In this article, Lindsey shares the Top 10 things you need to know if you're going to be working in Vascular Surgery.   " Vascular can seem like a scary specialty, but using these ten tips that I'm going to share with you today will help you prepare yourself for these cases with confidence...

When you have a Spanish-speaking patient, do you know how to communicate with them? Can you ask them basic questions, or do you freeze up and hope you can find someone who speaks Spanish who can help you out? In today's episode we're discussing the importance of communicating with Spanish-speaking patients with Meghan Codd, Spanish communication coach for healthcare providers and founder of Mi Vid...

What is the secret to happiness? The answer, according to Dr. Michael Redler, Orthopedic Surgeon at Connecticut Orthopedics, is great communication . Communicating effectively sets the tone for our whole day in the Operating Room. Do we have the supplies needed for a case? Did the right grafts or implants get brought in? Was everyone in the room treated with respect and recognized as a valuable co...

In this Special Release before we kick off Season 8, tune in to this session from the 2022 OR Manager Conference to learn tips, insights and perspectives on successfully climbing the leadership ladder. The next conference is September 18-20, 2023 in Nashville, TN. Check out the agenda and register at www.ormanagerconference.com . Use code PODCAST and save! Love our show? Download our First Case mo...

Surgical gloves make it possible for us to safely operate on patients every single day. However, persistent exposure to latex gloves increases the risk of a latex reaction for patients and clinicians alike. In today's First Case Vendor SpotlightTM, we're speaking with Dr. Rosemary Sergakis, Global Medical Science Lead (US) at Cardinal Health about the exposure risks associated with latex  surgical...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is in partnership with OR Manager. In this interview with Mike Ellrich, healthcare portfolio manager and principal consultant with analytics and advisory company Gallup in Washington DC, learn 5 keys to effective well-being in the OR. Plus, learn why OR suites can benefit from a well-being program! Articles On-the-Go presents periop...

How many times do you touch the privacy curtains in the pre-op or PACU? How many times per day do you think those curtains get touched? Do you know how clean they are, or how often they get changed out? In today's conversation with Karen Goelst, Founder and CEO at KleenEdge, we're talking about high-touch surfaces, how they correlate to hospital acquired infections, and the downstream consequences...

The operating room isn't just a place where patients have surgery. It's also a business. And behind the scenes of that business is an OR Business Manager, working hard to maximize efficiencies and reimbursements. They understand how business data, contracts, and productivity are connected, and how that information translates into the operating room. Joining us in discussing this important role is...