First Case Podcast

Have you ever seen a case cart taped shut, with the words "NO STEALING!" written across the tape? Have you ever grabbed instruments or supplies that you needed off the nearest case cart? Or, have you ever been the one who's instruments or supplies were taken? Pilfering supplies from the nearest case cart when we are in a hurry might be convenient, but it always leaves our coworkers in a bind, scra...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN where he discusses challenges around efficient OR scheduling practices: " Block scheduling in the operating room has become a common practice at many hospitals across the country.  By providing surgeons with a regular block of time for performing elective surgery, it allows for better planning...

Robotic surgery has become the gold standard for many minimally invasive surgeries, but getting the technology set up in the operating room involves more than just buying a machine. Is our OR big enough? Do we have the right instruments and sterile supplies? What about sterile processing? These questions (and so many more!) must be answered before robotic surgeries can begin in any facility. Tune...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series is written by, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN where he highlights five common reasons new OR staff leave your hospital: " With the average age of an Operating Room nurse now over 50 years old, there will be new nurses joining your organization in the future.  If you are having issues with staff turnover, chances are one or more of the 5 re...

OR managers & directors, when was the last time you wore scrubs at work? When was the last time you were physically present in the OR? Do your staff members know what you look like? Being a visible director in a busy OR is challenging, and can be difficult to manage alongside other leadership responsibilities. Finding balance in your level of engagement between staff, anesthesia, surgeons, and adm...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series features, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN discussing seven critical indicators for high performing Operating Rooms: " Blocks are meant for high volume surgeons who can fill a room.  It should be a "reward" for consistent utilization.  Blocks should be utilized at the 85% rate.  If physician blocks are consistently underutilized, they must b...

As the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the globe in 2020, our healthcare facilities faced a multitude of challenges. Inadequate amounts of PPE, a lack of Covid testing supplies, and ever-changing Covid policies were hurdles that had to be met and overcome as hospitals moved forward in the wake of the pandemic. Join us this week as we talk with Dr. Chris Turner, MD, anesthesiologist and Director of...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series features, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN discussing common misconceptions around measuring & evaluating surgery turnover times: " While turnover time can provide some measure of  efficiency, it is important not to rely on this number alone to determine how well your surgery department is running.  In our consulting practice we have seen se...

How clean is the air in your OR? Is the HEPA filter and the positive pressure of the room enough to protect your patient from contaminants in the air, or is there more to it than meets the eye? Join us in this eye-opening episode as we discuss infection prevention with air expert Dr. Linda D. Lee, public health practitioner and president of Linda D. Lee Healthcare Consultants. We'll learn more abo...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series features, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN and Hank Balch, BS, MDiv, CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL discussing the critical importance of SPD & OR teamwork: " Much of a facility's blaming/shaming culture can be tracked back to certain individuals who see it as their mission in life to burn their counterparts.  These folks must be dealt with.  They mus...

"Where's my tray?" "How'd you break the scope?" "Why aren't you precleaning?" "Agh, they messed it up again!" If you've worked in the operating room for any amount of time, you know that the relationship between the OR and SPD can be strained. For two departments that so heavily depend upon each other, the relationship is oftentimes more of a blame game than one of cooperation, mutual respect, and...

This week's episode of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series features, Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN discussing challenges in pre-operative preparation: " It is one of the great mysteries of life that some offices can have all of the information available days in advance, including the H&P, while others struggle getting it to you before the patient goes into the operating room.  We recommend that o...

The operating room has a reputation for being a challenging place to work. While many of us enjoy this challenging, fast-paced environment, we know that everything isn't always perfect. Unfortunately, disruptive behavior in the form of belittling, bullying, or hazing is a common occurrence. Join us on this week's episode as we tackle this unhealthy, widespread issue with Michelle Lemmons, RN, BSN,...

This week's episode kicks off the initial release of the First Case "Articles On-The-Go" series, which presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!  Tune in this week as Paul Wafer, BS, MBA, RN discusses preoperative patient assessment and inefficiencies: "Every step in the process from...

Taking call and covering call schedules is a demanding task that requires a substantial amount of time and energy for everyone in perioperative services. Front-line staff know the struggle of working long hours on difficult call shifts, while management faces the struggle of working long hours on creating call schedules and finding adequate coverage. And while call is a necessary evil for most ope...

Are you considering earning your CNOR? Do you feel anxious and a little overwhelmed at the thought of preparing for such an extensive test? If the answer is yes, then you are not alone! Nothing makes an O.R. nurse more uncomfortable than being unprepared, and one of the most helpful ways to prepare for the CNOR is with a CNOR review course. On today's episode we're talking about all things certifi...

Whether you scrub or circulate, work as front-line staff or serve in leadership, the operating room can be a uniquely challenging but extremely rewarding career. On this inaugural episode of the First Case podcast, get to know our experienced OR hosts who understand firsthand what it's like to love, hate, and work in the Operating Room (depending on the day!). Tune in as they layout a vision for t...