First Case

11/07/2024

A central part of opioid sparing surgical care is regional anesthesia, or nerve blocks. Nerve blocks play an important role in ERAS pathways by providing effective, targeted pain relief, reducing the need for opioids both intraoperatively and postoperatively.

Why are nerve blocks so beneficial for our patients? Find out in today's blog post!
Read it here 👉https://educate.beyondclean.net/4hBmJOK

11/06/2024

[🚨𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 8 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! https://educate.beyondclean.net/3CnWFXg 🚨] Welcome back to the First Case Video Expert Series™ featuring our Perioperative Instrument Coordination Expert™, Jeff Wertz, President of Surgio Health. In this series, Jeff tackles the critical issues that affect coordination and efficiency in your department and shares actionable steps to help you make meaningful improvements to your workflows.

In today's episode, we’re going to be learn how to "bridge the gap" in communication and understanding between clinical staff and the C-Suite. We'll talk about building a business case for the things that your department needs while also establishing why it’s important for leadership to participate and invest. Tune in now to learn more!

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗲𝗳𝗳? 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝘁: 𝗷𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘇@𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗼.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Stay tuned, there's more to come!

11/05/2024

💡https://educate.beyondclean.net/4hADslE 💡// Establishing new policies and procedures for centralization can help you ensure that your organization is prepared for a successful future. Find out why it's important to have policies and procedures that are specific to centralization in today's Expert Series On-The-Go! with Bryan Stuart.

💡In this weekly series we're learning from industry expert 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗖𝗖𝗦𝗩𝗣, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗽. Bryan has over 30 years of experience in the medical field and 13 years of operational experience in an FDA-regulated environment as a third party processor of surgical linens and instrumentation. From this, Bryan has developed keen insights into commercially managed reprocessing facilities. For the last 8 years, Bryan has provided consulting services to hospitals to improve processes and instrument tray streamlining. His solutions are driven by hands-on set reviews and data-driven solutions bringing the clinical and processing teams together for a mutually beneficial rationalization of instrument trays and process improvements.

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💡𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗚𝗼 presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional!

11/04/2024

🎧https://educate.beyondclean.net/3NUj2pY 🎧 // How clean is the air in your OR? 🤔Do you know what you’re breathing in during cases that generate surgical smoke? On today’s interview we’re speaking with Kim Tuemler, OR Nurse and founder of Wylie-Tuemler OR Nurse Consulting about the dangers of surgical smoke. Join us as Kim shares how she learned about the risks of inhaling surgical smoke and find out how she advocated for change at her facility. Today’s interview will inspire you to find your voice and realize that it IS possible to make a difference and bring change to your facility and your state.

You can read her article here:
https://educate.beyondclean.net/48yItXv

10/31/2024

What secrets are hiding in your hospital? 🤔🎃

"There’s a hidden place in every hospital, a little-known world within the walls, waiting to be discovered. In some hospitals, it stands boldly before you; in others, it remains hidden in shadow, luring you to seek it out. It’s a place where the medical staff can find answers to the mysteries of patient care or dive into the research of unsolved questions. Staffed by experts who can conjure any article from the depths of databases in mere seconds, this hidden haven is where lifelong learning thrives. What is this secret space you may not know exists in your own hospital? It’s the medical library."

Read more here! https://educate.beyondclean.net/3US9Wy3

10/31/2024

🎃Listen to this Special Release Episode here! https://educate.beyondclean.net/4hlYT9P 🎃 // We’ve got a treat in store for you today! Lindsey Joyce is back in the studio with Chris Blevins and Melanie Perry to uncover the exciting, but sometimes gruesome, history of surgery. Today’s conversation will make you wince as you learn about the alarming experiences of patients having surgery prior to anesthesia. You’ll cringe when you discover the chilling extent of bloodletting practices. And you’ll finish this Special Release episode thankful that you are alive in the 21st century. Get ready to go back into the past with the First Case team and learn about the history of surgery!

If you're interested in reading the book that was discussed in this episode, you can find The Empire of the Scalpel by Ira Rutkow here: https://educate.beyondclean.net/4hqrfQ5

10/30/2024

Why were chainsaws invented? 🤔

From the 1600’s all the way up to the 20th century, symphysiotomies were performed on women experiencing an obstructed labor. The procedure was designed to surgically separate the pelvic joint to create a larger opening in the pelvis. If it was successful, it would allow the baby to pass through the birth canal.

In 1785, Scottish doctors and obstetrician John Aitken and James Jeffray improved on the symphysiotomy method using a tool that later became known as the Aitkens flexible chainsaw. 𝗦𝗼, 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱… 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗻𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟭𝟳𝟬𝟬𝘀…

This ‘medical chainsaw’ was specifically designed to make removing the woman's pelvic cartilage easier and less time-consuming during childbirth. And because it was flexible, the flexible chainsaw also caused less trauma to adjacent tissue than the rigid saws and sharp knives typically used to perform the procedure.

The Aitkens flexible chainsaw was made with a fine serrated link chain with teardrop-shaped handles on both ends. One of the handles was removable so doctors could attach a blunt-pointed needle to the end of the chain. Doctors used the needle to guide the chain behind the p***c bone in preparation for the symphysiotomy. The idea was that the surgeon would move their hands back and forth to "saw" through the pelvic bone faster than they could with a sharp knife and with greater precision.

The Aitkens chain saw inspired the development of the Gigli saw, which we still use today for procedures like amputations. And both of these instruments inspired an orthopedic surgeon, Bernard Heine, to invent the Heine chain osteotome.

It took a while before someone realized that a saw used for opening birth canals could make felling trees a lot easier, but someone did and the first chainsaw was invented in 1897.

And now you know 😉

10/29/2024

🎧 https://educate.beyondclean.net/4fdvGvJ 🎧 // What are the critical logistics to consider when planning for centralization? In today's episode, Bryan shares 5 crucial aspects of planning that cannot be overlooked. Tune in now!

💡In this weekly series we're learning from industry expert 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗖𝗖𝗦𝗩𝗣, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗽. Bryan has over 30 years of experience in the medical field and 13 years of operational experience in an FDA-regulated environment as a third party processor of surgical linens and instrumentation. From this, Bryan has developed keen insights into commercially managed reprocessing facilities. For the last 8 years, Bryan has provided consulting services to hospitals to improve processes and instrument tray streamlining. His solutions are driven by hands-on set reviews and data-driven solutions bringing the clinical and processing teams together for a mutually beneficial rationalization of instrument trays and process improvements.

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💡𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗚𝗼 presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional!

10/28/2024

🎧 https://educate.beyondclean.net/48csKxc 🎧 “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘆?” How many times have we been asked that question?! How often have our preference cards not been up-to-date and we’ve pulled the wrong instrument, medication, or supply? 🤦🤦‍♂️ Preference cards are a often a source of frustration in our Operating Rooms, but they don’t have to be! In today’s interview, we dive into the details of preference cards with Jen Nichols, Senior Clinical Consultant at Cardinal Health. Tune in to find out how many different departments one preference card can affect, and be reminded of the one person most affected by accurate or inaccurate preference cards. Don’t miss this interview!

10/23/2024

We are THRILLED to attend the Periop Connect conference again this year in New Haven, CT! 🙌

Melanie will be giving a presentation entitled: 𝗚𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗶𝗱𝘀: 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 THIS SATURDAY, Oct. 26th, alongside an incredible lineup of perioperative experts. Will you be attending?🙋

Attendees have the opportunity to earn up to 6.5 CEs, and CEs are available for Nursing, Surgical Techs, and SPD! Register to attend here: https://educate.beyondclean.net/3YwIU1g

10/22/2024

🎧https://educate.beyondclean.net/3BUQXMr 🎧 // When determining the size of the sterile storage area, what elements should be considered? In today's episode, Bryan shares three insights that can instruct how to set up a storage system with accurate space estimations to meet your facility’s needs. Tune in now to learn more!

💡In this weekly series we're learning from industry expert 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗖𝗖𝗦𝗩𝗣, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗽. Bryan has over 30 years of experience in the medical field and 13 years of operational experience in an FDA-regulated environment as a third party processor of surgical linens and instrumentation. From this, Bryan has developed keen insights into commercially managed reprocessing facilities. For the last 8 years, Bryan has provided consulting services to hospitals to improve processes and instrument tray streamlining. His solutions are driven by hands-on set reviews and data-driven solutions bringing the clinical and processing teams together for a mutually beneficial rationalization of instrument trays and process improvements.

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💡𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗚𝗼 presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional!

10/21/2024

💉https://educate.beyondclean.net/3BNXDfb 💉// Have you experienced a sharps injury, and did you report it after it happened? 👀 Unfortunately, sharps injuries aren't always reported, leading to increased risk for employees who are injured. Joining us today to discuss all things sharps safety is Kristine Little, an OR Nurse from North Carolina and consultant/nurse educator for Clicksmart. In today’s episode, we’re going to uncover the realities and prevalence of sharps injuries, find out what AORN, AST, and OSHA have to say about sharps safety, and also discuss ways to prevent injury. Stay tuned!

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10/18/2024

Happy Infection Prevention Week! 😷🎉

In today's blog post, Chris draws an interesting comparison between football and the role we all play in preventing infection. So as we celebrate and highlight the important work of Infection Preventionists this week, let's also remember how important we are in protecting our patients from infection.

Read the blog here! https://educate.beyondclean.net/4f9Eh2u

Picture this: It's Sunday afternoon, and I'm cozied up in front of my big screen, tuned into the NFL Network Red Zone, fully immersed in the thrilling world of football. As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but draw a fascinating comparison between the fierce zone defenses on the field and the crucial...

10/15/2024

🎧 https://educate.beyondclean.net/3XZw9uA 🎧 // "Accurately calculating instrument utilization, processing times, and inventory levels can help manage a health system effectively. However, making these sound decisions is only as good as the data used to make them. 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘂𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻." Find out more about the importance of good data in today's episode with Bryan!

💡In this weekly series we're learning from industry expert 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗖𝗖𝗦𝗩𝗣, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗽. Bryan has over 30 years of experience in the medical field and 13 years of operational experience in an FDA-regulated environment as a third party processor of surgical linens and instrumentation. From this, Bryan has developed keen insights into commercially managed reprocessing facilities. For the last 8 years, Bryan has provided consulting services to hospitals to improve processes and instrument tray streamlining. His solutions are driven by hands-on set reviews and data-driven solutions bringing the clinical and processing teams together for a mutually beneficial rationalization of instrument trays and process improvements.

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💡𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗚𝗼 presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional!

10/14/2024

🎉Happy Sterile Processing Week! https://educate.beyondclean.net/4eHkurj 🎉From the to - THANK YOU! ❤️

It's Sterile Processing Week! And while I am not a Sterile Processing professional, as an OR nurse I am acutely aware of how essential our sterile processing teams are for the success of every procedure that we perform. I witness incredible teamwork and professionalism every single day and, as a tea...

10/14/2024

💉https://educate.beyondclean.net/3TZ9qxE 💉// When you need blood during an emergency, do you know how to order it? Do you know the different blood products that are available for your patient? In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Lindsey Joyce, CVOR nurse and First Case content creator. Tune in to learn more about the many blood products available for use during surgery, whether you’re dealing with a scheduled case or an emergency situation. We’ll also learn about the history of using blood in surgery and find out who performed the first blood transfusion. Don’t miss today’s episode!

10/10/2024

[🔥Tune in here! https://educate.beyondclean.net/4dBrBQU 🔥] It’s Fire Safety Week!

We’re familiar with fire safety drills, evacuation drills, and we’ve probably all taken the same fire safety test (with the same answers) for a few years in a row... But, this important interview with Kamil Makhnejia, VP of Clinical Development at Jackson Medical, reminds us of the importance of fire safety as we talk all about those things that we sometimes take for granted. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗥, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀. We're going to break down the fire triangle, discuss why RACE and PASS are such important acronyms, and talk about how we can improve workflows to reduce the risk of fire. You don’t want to miss this conversation!

10/08/2024

🎧https://educate.beyondclean.net/3ZTxw0p 🎧 // "A purpose-built, offsite facility to service multiple medical centers can help to save healthcare institutions money, as opposed to building or expanding on-premises facilities." In today's episode, Bryan shares how surgical instrument centralization can be a compelling investment with largescale cost-savings over time. Tune in to find out more!

💡In this weekly series we're learning from industry expert 𝗕𝗿𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗖𝗖𝗦𝗩𝗣, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗽. Bryan has over 30 years of experience in the medical field and 13 years of operational experience in an FDA-regulated environment as a third party processor of surgical linens and instrumentation. From this, Bryan has developed keen insights into commercially managed reprocessing facilities. For the last 8 years, Bryan has provided consulting services to hospitals to improve processes and instrument tray streamlining. His solutions are driven by hands-on set reviews and data-driven solutions bringing the clinical and processing teams together for a mutually beneficial rationalization of instrument trays and process improvements.

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💡𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗻-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗚𝗼 presents perioperative insights from industry experts in a creative, easy to listen to, audio format. Think audio book meets busy Operating Room professional!