First Case Podcast

Latest Episodes:

But, Why? The Truth About Trendelenburg Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

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 dangers of extreme angles and prolonged positioning 🔹 Common injuries - compartment syndrome, brachial plexus damage, and skin shearing 🔹 How to advocate for safer practices despite OR hierarchies 🔹 The role of proper positioning devices and what to avoid

Join us as David shares real-world stories, research-backed insights, and practical solutions.

#operatingroom #ornurse #trendelenburg #crna #scrubtech #surgery #patientpositioning

But, Why? Avoiding Positioning Pitfalls Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

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 risks, the science behind positioning injuries, and the steps you can take to keep your patients safe. Don't miss it! 🎧

#operatingroom #ornurse #scrubtech #patientpositioning #podcast #perioperative

But, Why? Unpacking the Protection in PPE Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

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 essential for patient and staff safety. And of course, we'll tackle the ever-controversial bouffant-over-scrub-cap debate! Don't miss this informative episode!

But, Why? Tips, Tricks, & Everyday Best Practice Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

How do we approach sterility and proper technique in ways that prioritize patient safety and best practices? And why does it matter?

In today's episode, Chris and Melanie are diving into the nitty-gritty details of sterile technique — because in the Operating Room, there's no room for "good enough." Tune in to find out why as we discuss guidelines, best practices, and the common mistakes that have become acceptable by many perioperative professionals. We'll also discuss the critical do's and don'ts of sterile field management, and reveal some of the tips and tricks we've picked up along the way. Tune in now!

#operatingroom #ornurse #perioperative #surgicaltechnologist #scrubtech #scrub #bestpractice

But, Why? Why Accurate Documentation Matters Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Is charting really that important? Joining us today to discuss the vital role that documentation plays in the operating room is Anna Gray, RNFA and Legal Nurse Consultant. From understanding what to document to exploring the connection between nurses' notes and surgeons' operative reports, Anna shares her expertise on why every detail matters.

Tune in to hear compelling courtroom examples where documentation made or broke the case, and discover the broader purpose of documentation that goes beyond legal protection. Proper documentation isn't just a task—it's a tool for patient safety, supply chain efficiency, and telling the patient's story. Join us for an insightful discussion about why accurate charting is essential for both patient care and professional practice.

#operatingroom #ornurse #surgery #perioperative #scrubtech

But, Why? Rethinking Habits, Rules, & Sacred Cows Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to Season 14 of First Case! This season, we're tackling the question: "But, why?" Why do we do the things we do in the OR? From practices we swear by to those that might need to be retired, nothing is off-limits as we explore the reasoning—or lack thereof—behind our routines.

In this season premier, Chris and Melanie dive into some of the most common OR habits, rules, and sacred cows, and unpack the "why" behind them. Chris shines a light on the frustrations caused by poor communication, touching on pref cards, supply handling, and the importance of sharing critical information to the entire team Meanwhile, Melanie challenges the long-standing bouffant and scrub cap debate, breaking down its origins, the changes over time, and whether this rule still holds up to current evidence.

Get ready for an engaging, thought-provoking episode that sets the tone for a season full of questioning, learning, and maybe even a little myth-busting. Tune in and let's uncover the "why" together!

#operatingroom #ornurse #surgery #perioperative #scrubtech #surgicaltechnologist

Perioperative Nursing Around The World: Celebrating Perioperative Nurses in Spain Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

While we wait for Season 14, we're bringing you an audio version of our Perioperative Nurses Week video interview series. Catch up on any interview you missed and travel around the world with us!

How would you like to get a post-graduate degree in Perioperative nursing? In Spain, you can! Today we're traveling to Spain to learn more about perioperative nursing and nursing education from Esther Espunes Mestres. Esther has a great story to share with us, so tune in and learn what it's like to train and be an OR nurse in Spain!

#operatingroom #ornurse #perioperativenursesweek #nurse #perioperative #perioperative

Perioperative Nursing Around the World: Celebrating Perioperative Nurses in S. Africa Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

While we wait for Season 14, we're bringing you an audio version of our Perioperative Nurses Week video interview series. Catch up on any interview you missed and travel around the world with us!

Today we're traveling from S. Africa to California as we learn about perioperative nursing and nursing education from Andrew Veitch. Andrew has a great story to share with us, so tune in and learn what it's like to be a nurse in S. Africa! Andrew will also tell us about the differences he's observed in perioperative nursing after having worked in both S. Africa and the US.

#operatingroom #ornurse #perioperativenursesweek #nurse #perioperative #perioperativenurse

Perioperative Nursing Around the World: Celebrating Perioperative Nurses in New Zealand Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 13 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 14! 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵, 𝘸𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘕𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴. 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴!

In this 4-week series we are travelling across the globe to hear from perioperative nurses worldwide. This week, we're traveling to New Zealand to learn more about perioperative nursing from Cassie Scott! Tune in to learn more about nursing education and training in Australia, and to hear about Cassie's current experiences in New Zealand. We'll also talk about her time as a travel nurse and her experiences working in Ireland and England.

Don't miss this exciting interview and stayed tuned the rest of this month for more!

#operatingroom #perioperativenurse #perioperativenurses #ornurse #nurse #surgery

Perioperative Nursing Around the World: Celebrating Perioperative Nurses in England Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

Season 13 has come to an end, and we're anxiously awaiting the launch of Season 14! While we wait, we're bringing you a series of interviews that we did to celebrate Perioperative Nurses Week.

In this 4-week series, we travelled across the globe to hear from perioperative nurses worldwide. In this first episode, we're speaking with Helen Evans and traveling across the pond to England! We'll learn what nursing education was like for Helen, how much exposure she was given to the OR, and what it was like to work in an operating room in England. We'll also learn about some differences that she observed between England and the United States after she immigrated to the US and began working in the USA.

Don't miss this exciting interview and stayed tuned the rest of this month for more!

#operatingroom #perioperativenurse #perioperativenurses #ornurse #nurse #surgery

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