First Case Podcast

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, she shares 5 tips to help new-to-the-OR, experienced nurses succeed in the operating room.   "Whatever the reason [the nurse came to the OR], we want to ensure they have a successful transition from their previous specialty to the peri-operative specialty." ---- Articles On-the-Go pr...

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he discusses the many changes he has seen since 1977, and what he has learned in the process.  "So, this brings me back to the patient.  We get so wrapped up in meeting performance targets that the patient becomes an afterthought.  We have to strive for balance in achieving realistic goals wit...

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, she shares insight into how we can help new grads find success in the Operating Room.  "New grads in the OR will be one of the answers to the nursing shortage that's plaguing many institutions across the country. It's up to us to help them succeed so they want to stay in the OR for t...

"But I've got block time!" insisted the surgeon. "I'm sorry, but your block time was released yesterday and another surgeon has now posted cases in that spot," said the OR scheduler…. Sound familiar? We seem to have conversations like this frequently. How can we make sure that our policies around block time are well-defined and understood by everyone? How can correct block utilization affect produ...

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he evaluates the Pre-Admission Testing department, and explains ways to improve efficiency.  "Finding ways to make it easier for the RNs in Pre-Admission Testing to collect information and improving efficiency within this department will reduce cost and esure that all patient information is av...

Can technology make you safer? How do we find the balance between natural and artificial intelligence and how do we collaborate between both of them? Helping us answer these questions today is Dr. Peter Kim, MD, pediatric surgeon and founder of Activ Surgical. Tune in to learn about the current state of surgery, why surgery needs to change, and how technology in the operating room makes surgery sa...

How many times have you been sent to look for items that have been recalled? How much time did you have to spend digging through bins, looking on shelves, or reading box labels? It can be a very time-consuming, frustrating process. On today's episode of First Case, we're talking all about medical device recalls with Guillermo Ramas, founder of Notisphere. We'll take a look at the current process f...

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he discusses what factors should be considered when determining whether or not to allow a surgeon to flip rooms. "One of the most important variables is how many cases can be done in a day, and how consistent the surgeon is in bringing enough volume to fill a day." Tune in to hear more!  -----...

Have you ever heard, "I don't need to wear laser safety goggles, I'm wearing glasses," or, "If the surgeon isn't going to wear the goggles, I don't have to, either." While not always the best fashion statement, laser safety goggles are always the best choice for eye protection when lasers are being used during a procedure. But there's more to laser use and safety than just eye protection, although...

What's is like to leave a position in perioperative leadership and go back to working as an OR circulator?  If you ask Dr. Jessica Gruendler, DNP, RN-BC, CNOR, CPHQ, it's wonderful! Jessica began her career in the operating room as a surgical tech, earned her nursing degree, and spent the last 20 years in perioperative leadership positions. She recently stepped back into the role of a staff nurse,...

Should sterile fields be covered? What do the guidelines say? How can you cover them safely? Tune in to this exciting First Case Vendor Spotlight with Laurel Stebbins, Clinical Specialist at TIDI Products, to get the answers to these questions and more! Sterile-Z is the only product on the market designed specifically to cover the sterile field. In this exclusive interview, we discuss the common p...

When was the last time your surgical instrument tray "recipes" were revised? Was it when you added something new? What about when an instrument is removed? In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN, he discusses how our trays and count sheets should be optimized so that our trays are accurate and so that unused instruments are removed....

(Between Season 9 & 10, we're re-releasing some of our most popular interviews from Season 4!) How many times have you been burned because you set up based on what the preference card said? We've all done it, and we're all a little leery of trusting our preference cards, because we expect them to be wrong. On today's episode of First Case, we're talking all things preference cards with Dr. Lenita...

Have you ever opened a tray and thought, "What happened to my instruments?!" Despite being a frustration, instruments that are damaged, broken, or have any staining or pitting can ultimately cause harm to our patients. We're talking all things instruments today with Michael Matthews, Director of Customer Training and Education at Agiliti. Do you know why saline damages instruments? Do you know why...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In it she draws an interesting parallel between what she noticed in a hair salon and how we should be treating new grads in our own department.  "New grads are eager to learn. When we're willing to bring them into the environment, or department, that they want to work in, and then we...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN. In it he offers practical suggestions that can make procedure day more efficient and cost effective.   If you have trouble getting your first cases of the day started on time, then you don't want to miss Paul's 4 key areas of opportunity that will help improve those on-time starts!  ------- Art...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In it she discusses something that has become so engrained in us as healthcare professionals, that we might not even realize that it exists.  "Think about it: we work in a high-stakes, high-risk environment. One mistake could cost a patient their lives, or cost us our license and car...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In it she discusses her experience with a Joint Commission survey, and shares 4 helpful tips to decrease any anxiety you may have about speaking with a surveyor.  Tune in to hear Melanie's advice and increase your confidence when answering questions during a survey! ------- Articles...

Between Seasons 6 & 7, we're releasing some of our most popular episodes from Season 3! What's it like for patients around the world who need surgery? What access do they have to medical care? Joining us today is Dr. Michael Redler, MD, an orthopedic surgeon on the Physician Leadership Board of One World Surgery. He has been involved with medical missions for many years, and he's sharing his exper...

Between Seasons 6 & 7, we're releasing some of our most popular episodes from Season 3! There's generally a transactional relationship between the OR and SPD. The SPD gives, and the OR takes. And that relationship is usually hindered with break downs in communication and a lack of respect – from both sides of the autoclave. We're discussing ways to improve that relationship today with Brian Dolan,...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN. In it he discusses the different factors that affect productivity in the operating room.  "One of the greatest challenges to matching productivity standards and achieving a benchmark is ensuring that you are including and excluding similar roles within the department." Tune in to learn more abo...

Between Seasons 6 & 7, we're releasing some of our most popular episodes from Season 3! Does your current staffing model account for succession planning? Are you prepared for loss in your department from resignation, promotion, or retirement? Continuing our discussion on predictive analytics in staffing, and now in succession planning, is Jason Goodwin, MPH, MSN, RN, CEO of Innovative Cultures, LL...

Between Seasons 6 & 7, we're releasing some of our most popular episodes from Season 3! Neuro can be a little overwhelming, and if it's not your regular service line, scrubbing those cases can really make you nervous. Joining us today to share her experience in Neuro and to help make the service seem a little less daunting is Alyssa Bittel, CST. Alyssa has been a surgical tech for ten years in a L...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In it she discusses how dangerous it can be to have an attitude that says, "that might be how we're 'supposed' to do it, but let me show you how we really do it."  "When an attitude or culture exists within an OR that allows, or even prioritizes, personal preference or convenience ov...

Between Seasons 6 & 7, we're re-releasing some of our most popular episodes from Season 3!  Surgical Techs – how much training did you receive in the Sterile Processing Department (SPD) while you were in school? Do you feel like the training you received gave you an adequate understanding of SPD? Joining us today to discuss SPD training is Eboni Saurage, EdD, CST, Assistant Professor of Surgical T...