First Case Podcast

Surgical fires remain a serious—yet preventable—risk in the operating room. One critical safety measure? Adhering to the recommended dry times for alcohol-based prep solutions. In this episode of First Case: Articles on the Go , we examine the evidence behind dry time protocols, their role in preventing OR fires and surgical site infections, and the importance of following manufacturer guidelines....

Autopsy tech Amanda Krygier joins us in the First Case season finale to pull back the curtain on a rarely discussed, deeply meaningful part of patient care - postmortem care. From collecting organs and evidence to comforting grieving families with answers, Amanda shares how compassion continues— even after life ends.  In this episode, we explore: 🧠 What autopsy techs actually do ⚖️ How they handl...

What happens when the patient on your OR table is an inmate —or a victim of violent crime? 👮‍♂️  This week, we sit down with David Bowman, f aculty with the School of Legal Studies at South College in Tennessee, to explore the legal, ethical, and emotional challenges of treating these patients. From chain of custody to managing personal bias, this episode is a must-listen for every perioperative...

On this episode of the StreetClothes podcast series, we talk to a healthcare professional whose passion project is generating some serious buzz in his own backyard! With 31 hives and counting, this busy bee has discovered the joy—minus the occasional sting—and the liquid gold rewards of working with nature's busiest pollinators. Tune in to hear how Cody Troutt's adventures in beekeeping bring the...

In this week's episode of First Case , perioperative consultant Vangie Dennis joins us to explore how generational differences impact patient care. From Traditionalists to Gen Z, each group brings unique values, communication styles, and expectations into the surgical setting. Learn how to tailor your approach, improve patient engagement, and avoid common missteps across the generational spectrum....

In this week's episode of First Case, we sit down with JD Buchert, Director of Workforce Safety at Parkland Health in Dallas, TX, to discuss the unique challenges transgender patients face as they navigate the healthcare setting. Did you know that over 70% of transgender individuals turn to emergency departments for care, often due to discrimination or harassment in other medical spaces? In this p...

On this episode 4 of the StreetClothes podcast, we talk to Lindsay Brown, a Minnesota clinician who has a passion project unlike any other! Not only does she know where babies come from (every child's eternal question), she also knows how clinical expertise beautifully combines with nurturing care during life's very first moments.  Tune in to hear how Linds's work as a doula brings comfort and adv...

Delivering truly patient-centered care requires cultural awareness and sensitivity. In this week's episode of  First Case , Charlie Lin, Nurse Practitioner and First Assist at Stanford Children's Pediatric Otolaryngology, shares key considerations for providing culturally competent surgical care to Asian patients. Learn how to recognize cultural differences, navigate family dynamics, and enhance c...

In this week's episode, we're changing our focus, and seeing the operating room through the eyes of the patient. Becca Kinney —a former sterile processing technician, medical sales representative, and now entrepreneur—joins us to share her personal journey as a breast cancer survivor. With a clinical background and firsthand experience undergoing multiple surgeries, Becca offers a unique and deepl...

On this episode 3 of our brand new StreetClothes human-interest podcast series, we talk to two healthcare professionals who have a passion project that's far from fowl play! Not only have they created their own backyard flock of feathered friends, they've also cracked the code for beating those sky-high egg prices! Tune in to hear how Sean Weir & Stacey Gielen became known as the "Chicken Tenders"...

In this week's article, we're diving into the power of purposeful teaching with "Intentionality in Surgical Technology Instruction" originally written by First Case co-host Chris Blevins, CST, FAST. From creating hands-on, realistic lab experiences to flipping the classroom for deeper engagement, this episode highlights how surgical technology educators can shape confident, competent future CSTs t...

Implicit bias - it's unconscious, it's uncomfortable, and it affects patient care more than we may realize. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Darlene Murdock, Staff Nurse at Memorial Hermann Hospital, to explore how our own hidden biases can lead to unequal treatment, impact patient outcomes, and create barriers to compassionate care. Darlene shares real-life stories, eye-opening stats, a...

What happens when you combine collaboration, efficiency, and standardization in the OR with strategic relationships and data-driven decision-making? You have a success story of operational transformation! Join us in this First Case Vendor Spotlight™ with Randy Subramany, Director of Supply Chain at New York Presbyterian, as we uncover the process that revolutionized procedural supply management. N...

Welcome to the Season 15 premiere of First Case! We're kicking off this season with guest JD Buchert, and diving into the importance of understanding our patients beyond their procedures. In this episode, we explore the importance of seeing patients as individuals rather than just cases. Our conversation covers the role of culturally competent care, how personal experiences and backgrounds shape p...

On this episode 2 of the StreetClothes podcast, we talk to a well-known voice in the medical device space about bending strings and making his guitar "talk." If you're like many Americans, you've probably got a guitar in a closet somewhere. Some of you may even use your guitar as a much-needed tool to unwind your mind after a crazy day at the hospital. Whether you're a "picker" or a "grinner", if...

On this episode 1 of our brand new, human-interest "StreetClothes" podcast series, we talk to a clinician who moonlights as a personal chef in between his travel assignments. Don't listen to this interview on an empty stomach as the smell, taste, and passion for food is strong from beginning to end. But like any good recipe, even this story has a little twist — this personal chef isn't whipping up...

The AORN Expo is not just another conference—it's an immersive, high-energy event packed with education, networking, and hands-on learning opportunities! As thousands of perioperative professionals prepare to gather in historic Boston from April 5–8, 2025, making the most of this experience requires some strategic planning. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned Expo veteran, these ten...

Ever think about how clean your stethoscope really is? 🤔 On this  special release episode of First Case , we're teaming up with Transmission Control to tackle a hidden but serious infection risk— stethoscope hygiene ! Join us as we chat with Scott Mader, CEO & Founder of AseptiScope , about how stethoscopes can become overlooked vectors for infection and what we can do to fix it. Spoiler: You mig...

Season 14 is a wrap! And while we wait for Season 15, we're bringing you an audio version of an  interview we did with Stella Yau during Perioperative Nurses Week! In this interview, we're talking with Stella Yau about her experience as a perioperative nurse in the US Navy. As she tells her story, you'll hear about nursing school education in the United States, about the additional responsibilitie...

🚨 SEASON 14 FINALE! 🚨 What happens before a surgeon steps into the OR? How do we know they're actually qualified to perform a procedure? 🤔 In the Season 14 finale of #FirstCase, we're pulling back the curtain on credentialing and privileging with Nyleen Flores , Chief Administrative Officer at Lake Oconee Orthopedics. She's diving deep into the gatekeeping process that protects patient safety —...

Suture is something every OR professional encounters daily, yet many of us were never properly taught how much about them. Why is suture sizing so confusing? What's the difference between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, and when should each be used? In this episode of First Case, we're diving deep into the world of suture, breaking down monofilament vs. multifilament options, discussing how...

Trendelenburg is a common position in the OR, but are we truly positioning patients safely? In this episode of First Case, we welcome back David Gomez, nurse anesthetist and CEO of Infinitus Medical, to uncover the risks, misconceptions, and best practices for safe Trendelenburg positioning. In today's episode we'll discuss: 🔹 Why degree and duration matter more than you think 🔹 The hidden dange...

Positioning patients in the OR isn't just about access to the surgical site—it's about preventing serious injuries . From nerve damage and tissue ischemia to long-term functional impairment , improper positioning can have devastating consequences. But with the right knowledge and attention to detail, many of these injuries are completely preventable . Tune in as Chris and Melanie break down the ri...

Are all of the PPE rules we have in the OR really necessary? Joining us this week to uncover the purpose behind the rules and guidelines is Jill Holdsworth, Infection Prevention Manager at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia. Tune in as Jill breaks down the basics of PPE and its critical role in the OR. We'll discuss common PPE items and unpack the reasons WHY our PPE is essentia...