First Case Podcast

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN where he discusses how both "sequential processes and parallel processes must be performed like a symphony orchestra to perform a flawless case." Tune in to hear Paul address these different processes and how they can be improved to increase efficiency. ------- Articles On-the-Go presents perio...

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 her experience during orientation in the operating room, and shares helpful tips for anyone else on orientation.  "I will never forget my first day on orientation in surgery. Total information overload - I had a deer-in-the-headlights look that everyone could see from a...

How many times does a patient come in for surgery, only to experience delays that have nothing to do with them? For example, lack of available beds on the floor leads to PACU filling up with patients, which then prevents the OR from continuing because they can't send their patients to recovery, and suddenly the next patients coming in experience a bottleneck of delays that they had no part of or c...

We all know that the OR is an environment that demands vigilance and good-quality, safe, continuous care for our patients. The many advances in technology and our ability to collect data help us to make care customizable, improve our workflows, cut out waste, and reduce redundancy. This allows us to focus on delivering that safe patient care that we all prioritize. Join us today as we discuss how...

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 the importance of communication between the entire surgical team, and how fundamental effective communication is to patient safety.   "The consent, the surgical posting, the patient interview, the time out, and the handoff are all times when effective communication is c...

Is it possible to use data to improve staffing and also increase surgeon, employee, and leadership satisfaction? Does this type of data exist, and can it be collected? The answer to all of these questions is, "YES!" Join us today for an exciting interview with Jason Goodwin, MPH, MSN, RN, CEO of Innovative Cultures, LLC. Jason is going to share with us how he used predictive analytics to measure c...

The operating room is a unique and sometimes overwhelming environment. A proper education and orientation are vital for building confidence in new employees, and for building a team that lasts. Today we're interviewing OR educator, Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, founder of Periop Anew, an OR education consulting company. We're going to discuss the importance of OR-specific educators and the critic...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Kelly Good, CRNA. In it she tackles the topic of tape and sheds a light on just how dirty our rolls of tape can be."In the operating room, we all know and love tape! A most adaptable tool, tape serves a wide range of uses including labeling instruments, holding up drapes, and repairing tears in mattresses. In patient c...

If I need to submit points to recertify my CNOR, how do I earn them? What are points, and how are they different from CE's? If recertification leaves you confused, you're definitely not alone! Join us today for this exciting interview with Jim Stobinski, CEO of CCI. We are going to learn about the CCI Research Foundation, microcredentialing, shed some light on the difference between points and CE'...

Registered Nurse First Assistants, commonly called RNFAs, are an important member of the surgical team. As an assistant in surgery, they practice under the direct guidance of the surgeon, and they collaborate with the surgical team to help achieve optimal patient outcomes. We're really going to dive into the value that the RNFA provides the OR on today's episode of First Case as we speak with Mich...

What habits or activites are we so accustomed to that we no longer realize that they aren't safe? What shortcuts or work-arounds have we accepted as 'normal' even though they put our patients or ourselves at risk? In today's article, David Gomez, CRNA, explains how the concept of highly reliable organizations applies to the operating room and explains how normalization of deviance, group-think, sh...

As we get ready to launch Seaon 6, we're revisiting our most popular episodes from Season 2! Is it possible for a VR headset to change the way we train surgeons and improve surgical performance? For Justin Barad, MD, Founder and CEO of OSSO VR, the answer is, "Yes!" As technology continues to advance, the surgical training learning curve is getting longer. And with the variety of procedures that w...

What does the future of surgery look like? How can technology help improve efficiency, productivity, and patient outcomes? We're going to look into the future today as we speak with Anthony Fernando, CEO of Asensus Surgical. Tune in as we discuss digital surgery and the benefits augmented intelligence and machine learning offer to both clinicians and patients. Learn about performance guided surger...

Coaching isn't something reserved for sports teams or fitness enthusiasts. Healthcare professionals frequently take advantage of coaching as well. Phyllis Quinlan, PhD, RN, Executive Coach for AORN, works with AORN members to provide coaching services covering a variety of topics. On today's episode we cover current trends in coaching needs, advice for new peri-op staff, advice for experienced sta...

We can't perform an operation or an invasive procedure if we don't have sterile instruments. It almost goes without saying, but sterility is fundamental to what we do in the operating room. Confirming that our instruments and trays are sterile is of paramount importance every time we set up for a case. Helping us discuss this important issue today is Hank Balch, Founder and President of Beyond Cle...

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 the vital role that SPD plays within the perioperative space, and emphasizes their value to the team. "We can't operate in a dirty room or with broken equipment. We can't operate if we don't have staff to run the room or anesthesia available to sedate the patient. And w...

Surgery can be a scary experience for anyone, especially children. Being in an unknown environment with so many strange faces mixed with the fear of needles, pain, or separation from parents can significantly increase a child's anxiety, all before they even enter the operating room. Induction of anesthesia only increases that anxiety when we hold a child down, and force them to breathe anesthesia...

When it comes to adding space, a hospital has two options: move to a new building and renovate, which can completely disrupt staff operation, or use the current space and invest in a more space-efficient storage system. On this First Case Vendor Spotlight we talk with Ian Loper from DSI about an integrated, high-density storage system that can meet all the safe and efficient sterile storage and tr...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN where he discusses the questions we need to ask ourselves when determining the amount of time that should be allocated for processing instruments. "Having a realistic unit of service for the SPD area will ensure that the resources that are necessary to support the efficient turnaround of surgic...

How does architecture influence plastic surgery? For pediatric plastic surgeon Dr. Sheryl Lewin, MD, her art and architecture background has influenced her ability to innovate and design the ear-making process for patients with microtia and atresia. Join us today as we discuss her unique work, learn about the special 3-D process she uses for creating implants, and hear how she's changing the lives...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN where he discusses three factors that must be considered when determining how many anesthesia technicians are needed for a department. " By considering the needs of the many different patients that will be in your department each day, and by following recommended staffing guidelines, you're set...

Between Season 4 and 5, we're going to be throwing back to some of our exciting episodes of Season 1! What is a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)? What value can they add to surgical services? On today's episode of First Case, we explore everything that a CNS does in the OR with Brenda G. Larkin, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, CNS-CP, CSSM, CNOR. We'll learn more about this advanced nursing practice degree, what...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, RN, BSN, CNOR co-host of the First Case podcast and founder of The Circulating Life where she outlines the keys to changing the culture within the OR: " Bad behavior in the OR isn't going to change overnight. We need zero-tolerance policies that are enforced, regardless of who the aggressor is. We need c...

How many times has it been said, "New grads need to work in Med-Surg prior to working in the OR."? While most nursing schools focus on Med-Surg during clinicals, there are many students who really feel called to the operating room. Sending them to Med-Surge first for "experience" doesn't give them specific OR experience, and delays their entry into the OR. Tune in as we discuss this issue today wi...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN co-host of the First Case podcast and founder of Alpha Consulting Group, Inc. where he talks about best practices for case carts by looking at who, how, and when a case cart should be picked for a case. He'll also discuss common errors, and explain how these errors negatively affect the departme...