It’s Been a While…
It’s Been a While… I started this blog seven years ago in front of a keyboard in scrubs in an office no bigger than a closet without a window outside a PACU. When I put those first words to paper, I wanted to reach out …
Tag: surgery
New Recommendations on Tuberculosis
Did you know that the CDC has changed its recommendations on TB screening? The CDC released updated recommendations for TB screening, testing, and treatment of health care personnel on May 17, 2019. The changes: Healthcare workers that have tested negatively for TB do not need …
What was I thinking?
Some days, it’s easy to forget why we are “here”. Working in surgery can be quite challenging. Being in charge can be even more challenging. Have you ever taken a mental inventory of your career choices that brought you to where you are? I know …
Some practical thoughts about Risk Management
Risk management can be challenging. We know that we are responsible for “managing risk”, but what does that really mean? In practical terms, we support a culture of safety to reduce risk as it relates to our daily operations. If you think about it, so …
I’m over here sewing patches on my cape
Being in a leadership position is, for lack of a better word-challenging. But, no offense to those non-surgical leaders, who may start their day at say, some late hour like 8:30, and then maybe actually go to a restaurant for lunch, or grab a call …
A planning guide for the holiday season from my school of hard knocks notebook
I don’t know about you, but I hate that we are already being bombarded with holiday stuff. I just put my bathing suit away, realize that I am not in love with my winter wardrobe (I blame my wardrobe woes on too many years in …
My recent plumbing challenge… and what it taught me about time management.
I had a recent shower plumbing problem that was causing bathroom sharing woes in my household. I decided to hire a handyman who had done work for me in the past. I trusted he would do a great job as at a reasonable price. I …
My top 10 infection control survey blunders…they may be yours too!
I have the privilege of assisting surgical facilities prepare for surveys. I have seen countless wonderful, clean, well prepared centers where I would feel confident in having surgery or taking a loved one for surgery. Even in the most pristine facilities, there is sometimes an …
Six things I would love to tell my patients…..
Interacting with patients and their families can be very rewarding. Most are kind, grateful for the care we provide, and responsive to our instructions. Effectively communicating with patients can sometimes be challenging, and patients may say and do things that add to these challenges. Here are six …
Three of my top surgical hacks and “Ideas that Work”…
I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for ways to make things simpler, especially with all the challenges of managing surgery. Life is rough enough. Our brains are already saturated with to do lists, passcodes and deadlines. With my dark nursing humor …