First Case Podcast

Latest Episodes:

When It's Just Been One of Those Days Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

We've all had rough days in the operating room. Days where it seems nothing is going right, everyone's angry, and there's not enough staff to cover every shift. But it isn't always that way. In this article written by First Case co-host, Melanie Perry, tune in to the ways we can use the good experiences to help balance out the bad ones. Knowing that we're making a difference in the lives of each and every patient that rolls into the OR helps us remember why we do what we do.

At First Case, we know your job is difficult and challenging at times, but keep up the great work - you ARE making a difference!

Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo

The Power of Productivity: Harnessing Efficiency to Improve Patient Care Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

How often do you hear about productivity in your department? How is that productivity determined? Or maybe, you're just wondering, "What IS productivity?" If it seems confusing or mysterious, you're not alone! We're going to break it all down for you today as we interview our very own First Case co-host, Paul Wafer. With 40+ years of experience, Paul has a unique understanding of productivity and he is passionate about helping others improve. Join us as we learn about productivity and why it is important, and also as we discuss productivity standards and best practices.

Love our show? Now you can download our BRAND NEW First Case mobile app on: 📲 Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻 Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G

#FirstCase #OperatingRoom #Surgery #Productivity #BestPractice

Errors in Perioperative Leadership Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

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 common leadership errors he has seen over decades of perioperative consulting: "I am still learning new things, and I carry the lessons I have learned throughout my career with me. Circumstances will always vary, but let me share with you a few things that I have learned...."

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Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo

Eyes on OR Supplies: Every Link in the Chain Matters Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

How do supplies get to your OR? Who makes sure that the products you need end up on the shelf? The Materials Management department is a crucial part of every facility, and they play a vital role in ensuring that we have all of the supplies that we need. In today's interview with Garry Skinner, president of GSC Consulting, Inc., we discuss best practices for communicating supply changes, the importance of building good relationships between the OR and materials management, and how both departments share the same focus: patient centered care.

#FirstCase #OperatingRoom #Surgery #SupplyChain #PowerSupply #MaterialsManagement

Conducting a Fantastic Pre-Op Interview Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

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 nailing your next pre-op interview: "Conducting a fantastic pre-op interview will come naturally with practice and repetition. By breaking it down into 12 different elements, you can develop a better understanding of the interview process, find it easier to remember what questions you're supposed to ask, and hopefully remove any fear about getting the interview right......"

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Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo

What's Your Preference? Improving Pref Card Management in the OR Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Are your preference cards accurate? Can you depend on them if you're working with an unfamiliar surgeon? We're going to tackle the pref card issue on today's episode of First Case! Joining us is Dan Pfister, President and Consultant at United Pathways, Inc. Tune in as he offers his insight into the benefits of a team approach to pref card management, and find out which department has a vested interest in keeping pref cards correct. You may be surprised to find out who it is!

#FirstCase #Surgery #OperatingRoom #PrefCardManagement

You Must Make Yourself a Priority Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

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 reminds frontline healthcare workers of the critical importance of self-care: "In a year that's been so demanding, and brought so many challenges, we have to take the time to refill our own tanks. We can't just keep going, ignoring our own physical, mental, and spiritual health. We have to take the time to care for ourselves. Our health and well-being is important too....."

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Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo

Tag, You're It!: Managing Instrument Quality and Repair for the OR Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

How often do we hear complaints about instruments that aren't working properly? When instruments are broken, we tag them for repair, but what happens to them after that? Instrument repair specialist Angelia Limberios, CST, CRCST, joins us on this episode of First Case to talk about that process. As an experienced surgical tech, Angelia brings a unique understanding of the OR into her role as an instrument repair specialist. Tune in as we discuss common issues and challenges with instrument repair, point of use cleaning, best practices, and much more!

How to Survive an Intense Orientation in the OR Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

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 provides encouragement for surviving the crazy days of OR orientation: "I know it's overwhelming and there's so much to take in. But don't give up. It can take over a year before you truly feel comfortable in the OR. But with each passing day, your confidence will improve. And you'll realize that even though orientation in the OR was hard and stressful at first, it was totally worth it...."

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Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo

Evolution of the Scrub Tech: The Unsung Hero of the Surgical Experience Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

Surgical Technologists, or scrub techs, are an important part of the surgical team. Their education and training provide them with the skills necessary to safely provide care for the surgical patient and to assist surgeons during procedures. On this week's episode of First Case, we speak with Megan Mullinax, CST about her experiences working in the operating room. We'll learn about the evolution of the scrub tech role, discuss the training necessary to become a surgical tech, and explore the (sometimes challenging) relationship between scrub techs and circulators.

Love our show? Now you can download our BRAND NEW First Case mobile app on: 📲

Apple users: https://zcu.io/gExL

Android users: https://zcu.io/j7Kx

Or you can subscribe to the podcast through: 💻

Apple Podcasts - https://zcu.io/qnVu

iHeart Radio - https://zcu.io/5qkg

Spotify - https://zcu.io/JkqK

Stitcher - https://zcu.io/j76G

#FirstCase #Podcast #Surgery #SurgicalTechnologist #ORNurse