First Case Podcast

Operating Rooms (ORs) have to be designed properly so that we can use all of the equipment needed to perform operations. What does the integration and design of an OR look like? How do we make sure that our OR design allows for efficient operational workflow? In this interview with Brian Moores, Senior Principal Healthcare Information Technology at Shen Milsom & Wilke, we break down the importance...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this article, Melanie offers practical tips and insight for new nurses in the Operating Room.  " The Operating Room (OR) is overwhelming. Whether you're a new grad showing up on your first day as an RN, or you're new but have been a nurse in another department for 20 years, it's a...

When you need new equipment in your Operating Room, how do you get it? Where does the money come from for large purchases? In this exciting kick-off to Season 7, we're diving right into the topic of Capital Budgets with special guest Garry Skinner, Cofounder and Partner at Discover S3. What is a capital budget? How do you get the equipment that you need? We're addressing all of these questions and...

How often do you handle specimens in your operating room? Have you ever considered your risk of exposure to a Class 1 carcinogen every time you add formalin to your specimen containers?  Formalin is recognized as a Class 1 carcinogen, and exposure to the fumes is a safety issue for all OR staff. But, healthcare organizations can now mitigate this health and safety risk. Find out how in this eye-op...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this article, Melanie discusses three specific benefits of double gloving, and explains that double gloving is a practice for all of us, not just for those in specific specialties.  "T he benefits of double gloving reach across the lines of the various specialties. Everyone can be...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this article, Melanie examines the benefits that a fresh perspective can add to our department. And, she highlights the importance of asking, "Why?" " Do we fully appreciate the value that a fresh perspective and a new set of eyes brings to our department and to our established pr...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNL. In this article, Lindsey shares the Top 10 things you need to know if you're going to be working in Cardiac Surgery.   " While I still learn things daily, there are 10 things that stand out that every OR nurse and scrub should know about cardiac surgery. Here's my Top 10..." ------ Ar...

Season 15 has come to an end, and we're anxiously awaiting the launch of Season 16 on July 7, 2025! While we wait, here's a throwback to a great interview from Season 6!  What makes a good leader? Are you only a leader if you have a title? Joining us to talk all things Perioperative Leadership is Jennifer Misajet, COO & CNO at Mercy One. In this final episode of Season 6, learn about Jennifer's pe...

Season 15 has come to an end, and we're anxiously awaiting the launch of Season 16 on July 7, 2025! While we wait, here's a throwback to a great interview from Season 6!  Can professional growth include coaching? How can a career coach help me personally and professionally? You are going to find out today as we sit down with Certified Professional Career Coach Phyllis Quinlan, PhD, RN! As the Pres...

Season 15 has come to an end, and we're anxiously awaiting the launch of Season 16 on July 7, 2025! While we wait, here's a throwback to a great interview from Season 6!  Have you ever thought about sharing your knowledge and expertise by writing articles for nursing magazines? How do you get started? Find out in this informative interview with Judy Mathias, Clinical Editor at OR Manager. Find out...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNL. In this article, Lindsey discusses the fire triangle, and the importance of fire safety training in our ORs.   "Which is why education is the key to these preventable disasters. All of the surgical team, from the surgeon and anesthesiologist to the circulator and scrub, to the other s...

Season 15 has come to an end, and we're anxiously awaiting the launch of Season 16 on July 7, 2025! While we wait, here's a throwback to a great interview from Season 6!  Do you experience collaboration within the departments of your organization, or is each department isolated? Is it possible to measure the degree to which we are collaborating? Brooke Elliott, Founder of BE Complete Coaching & Co...

If you ask a patient who took care of them in the OR, they'll definitely remember their surgeon, and they'll probably remember their anesthetist and their nurse. But, do they ever remember the surgical technologist (ST)? Do they even know there was another expert scrubbed in for their case? In this Season 6 interview with Chris Blevins, CST, Founder of the Scrub Life Podcast, we talk about the des...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM. In this thought-provoking article, Melanie uses a gardening metaphor to remind OR Leaders to be visible and to be pay attention to their employees so they are able to pick up on any issues quickly.  ------ Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a...

While we wait for Season 15 to begin, here's a throwback to a great episode from Season 6!  Let's be real. There's a lot of..."stuff" that can hold us back. Even stuff we aren't aware of. Today's interview with Lindsay Brown, VP of Sales and Marketing at Beyond Clean, will be an exploration of common limiting mindsets that prevent personal and professional growth. What IS a limiting mindset? How d...

What have you heard about UV-C Disinfection? Are all low-level disinfection devices created equally? Find out the truth about UV-C disinfection in this exciting First Case Vendor SpotlightTM with Gunner Lyslo, Founder and CEO of Surfacide. Learn how low-level disinfection with UV-C energy significantly reduces the presence of viruses and bacteria, and find out how it disinfects colonized surfaces...

Have you ever thought about joining a professional organization? Is there any value or benefit to joining? In this Season 6 episode of "Success in Scrubs," we speak with Stella Yau, BSN, RN, CNOR, about the benefits of professional organizations. Go beyond simply earning CEs, and dive into the relationships, networking, and mentoring that professional organizations have to offer! Discover how Stel...

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, we've teamed up with OR Manager to bring you great insights into negotiating anesthesia contracts. Find out what successful negotiation means and learn what mistakes to avoid. Plus, tune in for a special discount to the OR Business Management Conference, just for First Case listeners! ---- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperati...

This season, we're tackling the topic of professional growth and development. What does that look like for perioperative professionals? Is there a certain path we're supposed to follow? Is there more to professional growth than getting CEs? Join us as Jamie Terran, Certified Career Coach and VP of Marketing & Education at Propper Mfg, kicks off the conversation and helps us define professional dev...

What will 3 hip replacements in 4 years get you? If you're Johnny Caffaro, CEO & Founder of Caffaro Way, it will give you the lived experience as a hip-replacement patient, a strong personal brand to tell your story, and a heart for teaching others how to advocate for themselves and for their care. Join us as Johnny shares his story, find out how he built his personal brand through the power of so...

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by written by Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, she shares critical insights on the importance of disaster preparation, training, and readiness for our healthcare facilities.   " And that is why preparation is key. Take the time to prepare for internal and external disasters before they occur . Run the fire drills, tor...

In this week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, written by Brenna Page, MSN, RN, CNOR, CNAMB, she shares what it was like to be on the other side of the stretcher and the perspective that she gained as a recent surgical patient.  "I was recently a patient myself. I was already familiar with the facility, and the staff was made up of people that I work with, yet I was still ne...

We've wrapped up Season 11 and we're anxiously awaiting the launch of Season 12. While we wait, here's a throwback to Season 5! As our operating rooms become more technologically advanced, how do our Infection Preventionists keep up? How does Infection Prevention (IP) keep in step with the technology, and ensure that we are disinfecting all of the different equipment properly? Find out the answers...

Happy Perioperative Nurses' Week! We are celebrating the achievements and contributions of perioperative nurses this week as host Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, sits down for a conversation with Brenna Page, MSN, RN, CNAMB, CNOR discussing all things perioperative. They'll talk about what it's like to be an OR nurse, discuss why they love OR nursing, share stories from their experiences, and...

Where does this cord go? How can I get the monitor to work? Why is it not working already?? We've all been there, feeling the gaze of the surgeon as everyone in the room waits for us to hook up equipment, only to struggle with getting video connections to actually work. We're talking all things video integration today with Ryan Hager, Global Digital Marketing & Documentation Manager at FSN Medical...