Your People and Teams

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October 2025
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How competency assessment could extend beyond licensing

Competency assessment in perioperative nursing—and American healthcare in general—is a story of unrealized potential. Particularly in the wake of the pandemic, staffing shortfalls and financial pressures have made focusing on staff development difficult for nurse leaders. Nonetheless, the argument for investing more in professional development and competency has never been…

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By: James X Stobinski, PhD, RN, CNOR, CNAMB(E), CSSM(E)
June 24, 2024
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How awareness evolves to action on surgeon, patient gender gaps

Takeaways Although women comprise half the population, they were left out of medical research on major causes of death for both women and men—cancer, heart disease, and stroke—until 1990. Using surgical tools designed by men, for men can impact every aspect of a woman surgeon’s work, from learning new procedures…

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By: Brita Belli
May 24, 2024
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Built to grow: Key elements of planning a new ASC

Are you part of the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) construction boom? Approximately 116 new facilities opened in 2023, according to Becker’s ASC Review, and more are planned for and underway in 2024. The upward trend shows no signs of slowing. Fortune Business Insights projects the US ambulatory surgery center market…

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By: Brendan Dooley
May 24, 2024
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Why developing employees is a key competency for new managers

Takeaways Meeting people where they are is a basic principle of staff development. Coaching and mentoring are fundamental to employee development, but new managers should understand the difference. Resources for staff development include education, certification, clinical ladders, committee work, and professional networking. Transitioning to leadership involves many competing pressures, but…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
May 24, 2024
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Managing challenging employees: When to let go

TAKEAWAYS • HR should be involved early in the disciplinary process to help guide OR leaders’ decision-making throughout disciplinary and/or remediatoin processes. • Timing, privacy, opportunities for employee feedback, and an empathetic approach are among the most important considerations for a final termination meeting. • Whatever the process for communicating…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
April 19, 2024
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Managing challenging employees: How to help

TAKEAWAYS • Addressing an employee with a competency or behavior issue is important for the well-being of staff and managers. • Determining the reason for the issue is an important first step to resolving it. • Sources of support for managers include colleagues, human resources, and educators. In today’s perioperative…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
April 19, 2024
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ASC staffing woes persist in era of increased surgical volume

Data and surveys

The past 10 years of data from the OR Manager Salary/Career Survey reflects many challenges in the healthcare environment, particularly those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. ASC leader respondents report that staffing difficulties have become particularly challenging. For example, only 15% of respondents to the 2014 survey reported increased RN…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
April 19, 2024
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How gamification improves OR training, outcomes

Takeaways From mobile phone apps to immersive virtual reality surgery experiences, digital tools make healthcare training more interactive, more engaging, and more fun for everyone from nurses to surgeons. Modern procedures—including minimally invasive techniques and robotic surgery—require 50 to 100 cases for a surgeon to reach a safe proficiency level…

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By: Brita Belli
March 22, 2024
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Decade of salary data shows mix of small gains, stagnation for OR leaders

Data and surveys

Takeaways OR leaders have experienced financial gains over the past 9 years, but not enough to keep up with inflation in recent years. Capital and operating budget responsibilities have increased over the past 6 years. Since 2015, OR leaders have consistently been most satisfied with their current job, but much…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
March 22, 2024
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AI's pivotal role in transforming OR efficiency, now and in the future

Next-Gen Disruptors: Technologies Transforming the OR Installment #1, presented by LeanTaaS Surgical procedures are necessary steps in patient journeys—no one wants to have surgery, but most people will need it at some point for care continuity and better quality of life. To best support positive outcomes, optimal recovery periods, and…

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By: Elizabeth Stocum, BS, RN
March 22, 2024
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