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deputies. They have the authority and autonomy to remind staff, "Oh, by the way, you shouldn't be bending that way to transfer a patient." They place warning signs on wet floors and correct sur- geons who don't use a no-pass zone. • Fluid waste disposal. Safe fluid waste disposal was a big box for Ms. Plett to check off, not only to prevent possible contamination by bodily fluids but also to reduce hazardous disposal. She con- verted each of her 7 ORs to closed fluid systems, wheeled machines that, once filled, staff roll into a water closet and con- nect to a docking station, a specially plumbed port through which the machine empties and cleans itself. "There's always an oppor- tunity for contact with infectious waste when disconnecting a canister from a suction line and capping it," says Ms. Plett, who says staffers have more than once accidentally spilled a canister on the floor. • Ergonomic workstations. Ms. Plett was familiar with the ergonomic studies that show the hazards of sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time, which is precisely what her pre-operative assess- ment clinic staff did each day. To protect her staff's posture and vision, Ms. Plett ordered an ergonomic chair for each clinic staff member and hired a consultant to set up their workstations, key- boards and monitors just so. She did the same for her billing and scheduling person. She also reconfigured the OR control desk workstation so that the nurse working there can stand while she charts. "Standing can be more productive than sitting," says Ms. Plett. Of course, she placed an anti-fatigue mat at the OR control desk. • Individualized lead aprons. Thompson Peak does a lot of ortho and spine cases, procedures that of course require X-rays. For proper fit and cleanliness, Ms. Plett ordered individualized lead 7 4 O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 O R E X C E L L E N C E AWA R D S O R E X C E L L E N C E AWA R D S