First Case Podcast

Latest Episodes:

4 Misconceptions About Surgery Turnover Time Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

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 several examples of hospitals with average, or (better than average) turnover times with tremendous inefficiencies..."

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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

Up, Down, & Around - What You Need to Know About OR Air Flow Feb 15, 2021

Show notes

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 about OR design, discuss the necessity of laminar flow (Is it really necessary?), and talk about the ways OR staff either hinder or help in our shared goal of preventing infections.

#FirstCase #InfectionPrevention #OperatingRoom #Surgery #SurgeryLife #Perioperative #OperatingRoomNurse #PerioperativeNurse #SurgicalTechnologist #SurgicalTech

OR - Sterile Processing Relationships Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

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 must be confronted by their leaders and their peers with the expectation of teamwork and professionalism that is critical for your team's success....."

Hope you enjoy! Thanks for listening!

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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

Divided We Fail - Overcoming the Damaging Drama of OR / SPD Battles Feb 01, 2021

Show notes

"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 positive feedback – from both sides. In this episode of First Case, join Paul, Jeremy, and Justin as they talk with Peter Nichol, MD, practicing pediatric surgeon at the University of Wisconsin and Chief Medical Officer at Beyond Clean about this critical issue. Tune in as we get a surgeon's perspective on Sterile Processing challenges that impact the OR, and discuss ways to start changing the relationship dynamic between the OR and SPD today.

You can subscribe to the show on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and anywhere else podcasts are heard!

Or you can listen directly from our website: http://www.firstcasemedia.com

#FirstCase #PerioperativeNurse #Perioperative #Surgery #SurgeryLife #OperatingRoom #OperatingRoomNurse #SurgicalTechnologist #SurgTech #SurgicalTech #SPD #SterileProcessing #BeyondClean #Podcast

Disclaimer of Endorsement: First Case Media does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise represented in the recording of this podcast. The views and opinions of guests or advertisers expressed on or in the recording of this podcast does not necessarily state or reflect those of the First Case Media team.

Challenges in Pre-operative Preparation Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

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 one of the requirements for having a first case of the day is that the H&P be on the chart at least the day prior to surgery. How else can the RN and Anesthesia provider adequately assess the patient if that information is missing? If a physician cannot get an H&P to the hospital prior to the day of surgery, that physician should not be able to schedule cases for the first case of the day...."

Hope you enjoy! Thanks for listening!

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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

Bully in Scrubs: Straight Talk about a Big Problem Jan 18, 2021

Show notes

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, PHN, clinical educator in the OR for Key Surgical. We'll discuss the many forms that disruptive behavior takes in the OR and address the ways we can be empowered to create a positive change within our workplace.

You can subscribe to the show on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and anywhere else podcasts are heard!

Or you can listen directly from our website: http://www.firstcasemedia.com

#FirstCase #PerioperativeNurse #Perioperative #Surgery #Operatingroom #OperatingRoomNurse #SurgicalTech #SurgeryLife #SurgTech #Bullying #DisruptiveBehavior #Podcast

Preoperative Patient Assessment and Preparation -- Inefficiencies and Its Impact To Your Bottom Line Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

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 the scheduling of the operation until the patient is admitted into the operating room has potential for inefficiency, unnecessary costs and errors. This article will discuss some of these inefficiencies and potential methodologies for minimizing their impact..."

Hope you enjoy! Thanks for listening! #FirstCase #Podcast #OperatingRoom #Surgery #ArticlesOnTheGo

Call Schedules: Is there a way to do them right? Jan 04, 2021

Show notes

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 operating rooms, creating call schedules, ensuring call coverage, and finding a fair balance for staff doesn't have to be so frustrating. On this episode of the First Case podcast, we talk all things call with James Nideffer, BSN, RN. James is the founder of ORCallStaff.com, a unique and helpful resource designed to assist hospitals in managing their OR call schedules. Tune in as we hear James discuss his experiences with covering call, both as a staff nurse and as a nurse manager. We'll discuss the pros and cons of covering call, the challenges that we face when taking call, and learn about an exciting solution to the challenges of managing a call schedule.

You can subscribe to the show on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and anywhere else podcasts are heard!

Or you can listen directly from our website: http://www.firstcasemedia.com

#FirstCase #Perioperative #PerioperativeNurse #Surgery #Operatingroom #OperatingRoomNurse #SurgicalTech #SurgeryLife #SurgTech #CallSchedule #JamesNideffer #Podcast

More than Letters on a Badge: A Chat about OR Certifications Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

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 certification with Wendy Zander, RN, MSN/ED, CNOR, founder of Zander Perioperative Education. Wendy is an engaging and talented educator who has been successfully preparing nurses for the CNOR exam since 2004. Join us as Wendy shares how she created her review course, learn about the benefits of certification, hear the success stories of other nurses just like you, and get ready to prepare yourself for the CNOR.

You can subscribe to the show on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and anywhere else podcasts are heard!

Or you can listen directly from our website: http://www.firstcasemedia.com

#FirstCase #Certification #CNOR #PerioperativeNurse #Surgery #SurgeryLife #OperatingRoom #OperatingRoomNurse #Podcast

Inaugural Episode: Meet the Hosts and Hear the Vision for First Case Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

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 the First Case podcast and talk about the diverse experiences they will be bringing to this innovative audio project with every episode.

You can subscribe to the show on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and anywhere else podcasts are heard!

Or you can listen directly from our website: http://www.firstcasemedia.com

#FirstCase #Podcast #Perioperative #Surgery #Operatingroom #OperatingRoomNurse #SurgicalTech #SurgeryLife #SurgTech