It’s not surprising that surgeons report high levels of burnout and a lack of professional satisfaction; nor is it surprising that the problem is getting worse. This creates concern for both the well-being of surgeons and the quality of patient care. As with other problems that might seem overwhelming, however, small adjustments can make a big difference. Here are some ways you can move the needle on surgeon satisfaction and, by extension, create efficiencies, lower costs, and realize better patient outcomes.
Our intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) research studies show that IONM helps keep patients safe during surgery, decreases complications, and reduces costs associated with the use of analgesics, length of hospital stay, neurorehabilitation, and long-term chronic care. One such study, Neurologic Outcomes Following Differential Resolution of Neuromonitoring Alerts during Extradural Spine Surgery, examines the relationship between reversal of intraoperative neurophysiologic change and neurologic outcome following segmental spine surgery.
Building a highly talented clinical workforce is imperative for providing the best possible patient outcomes. We know, however, that the most passionate and effective healthcare professionals offer much more than clinical competence and they look for value in their work that extends beyond excellence in clinical care. They look for the intangibles and meaningful connections that prompted them to choose healthcare as a profession in the first place. Our goal is to sustain a culture where our people can thrive and find satisfaction, both personally and professionally.
The source of nosocomial infections can be elusive. For investigators, infections stemming from slow-growing bacteria are particularly difficult to identify and combat when symptoms do not present for months, or sometimes even years, after exposure. Add to these challenges the severity of potentially deadly infections and a bacterial outbreak can have devastating consequences. Such is the case with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).
Excellence in sterile processing management is fundamental to a well-run operating room. It supports on-time starts, surgeon satisfaction, and overall efficiency—all of which translate to financial results. But, most importantly, effective sterile processing management reduces the occurrence of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), which can significantly harm the patients entrusted to your care.
At the 37th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion (AACP), we presented research that used goal-directed perfusion methodology to determine oxygenator performance during clinical cardiopulmonary bypass. The study evaluates three oxygenators currently in clinical use and reflects how information collected by perfusionists could be utilized to provide new information to bridge gaps in knowledge when an absence of quality data is encountered.
Historically, there has not been a great understanding about the “obesity paradox,” which suggests that overweight and obese patients may have better outcomes than normal weight patients. Our newly published research confirms that while overweight and mildly obese patients do experience less blood transfusion and post-surgical bleeding than patients of normal weight, much of the observed reduction in transfusion rates in obese patients can be accounted for by other known confounds.
When I learned of a concern regarding Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) infections from use of LivaNova’s (previously Sorin) 3T heater-coolers and a change in their Instructions for Use (IFUs), I brought it to the attention of my OR Director at Memorial Medical Center. The situation has led to the development of best practices in team collaboration and infection control.
There’s good reason why I don’t roof my own house or fly my own plane. I rely on others for their specialized skills, experience, and economies of scale—knowledgeable people focused on specific activities that ensure quality and safety, keep costs in check, and know the codes and regulations that must be followed. Today, more than ever, we rely on specialization to get things done. Healthcare is no different. In fact, healthcare may be one of our best examples of an industry that can benefit significantly from specialized teams.