O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7 O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T 5
Contents
6 Lessons From 3 Wrong-Site Surgeries
Focus on what really happened,
not what's supposed to happen.
Steven Wentworth, RN, CNOR, BSN, MBA
11 Make MH Drills Count
Realistic practice sessions could someday
prove to be life-saving exercises.
Margaret M. Thomas, MSN, BS, RN, CNOR
21 The High Cost of Pressure Ulcers
Your patients' health and your facility's finances are
at significant risk if you don't protect sensitive skin.
Charlene DiNobile, RN, MEd, CNOR, CNAA, CST, CSPDT
28 Let's Ban Surgical Smoke
It's time to protect all surgical professionals
from the harmful effects of toxic plumes.
Jeff Belcher, BSN, RN, CSSM
35 Perfect Your Patient Warming Protocols
It takes a total team effort to maintain normothermia
in patients from pre-op to the PACU.
Kim York, BSN, MS, RN, CNOR, CSSM
42 The Horror and
Heartbreak of a Retained Object
Nurses with firsthand experience of retained
surgical items carry deep emotional scars.
Denice Morrison, RN, MSN, CNOR
48 Sell Surgeons on Safety Scalpels
Emphasizing the personal and financial costs of sharps
injuries will help get safer blades into your ORs.
Ron Stoker, MS
53 Two Gloves Are Better Than One
Double-gloving can be a hard sell, but there are
plenty of reasons to make it mandatory.
Jim Burger | Senior Editor
58 Prevent Slips, Trips & Falls in the OR
Cords, clutter, puddles and other hazards
can lead to workplace injuries.
Dan O'Connor | Editor-in-Chief
63 Sterile Processing Safety Check
The unsung heroes of your facility
deserve to work without worry.
Ross Simon, BA, and Elena G. Canacari, RN, BSN, CNOR
67 Are Your Patients at Risk of DVT?
The vascular surgeon who created the
Caprini Score discusses how to protect your
patients from life-threatening blood clots.
Joseph A. Caprini, MD, MS, FACS, RVT
72 5 Steps to Improved C-Arm Safety
Protect your surgical team from
intraoperative imaging's hidden harm.
Richard S. Yoon, MD
76 What Would You Do If Bullets Started to Fly?
Q&A with Lenworth M. Jacobs, MD, MPH, FACS,
trauma surgeon and proponent of preparing for
active shooter events.
To Our Readers
When your staff are forced to choose between protecting them-
selves and protecting patients, patients win out every time.
That's why you have to advocate for the well-being of your facility's patient advocates. As you'll see in the Manager's Guide
to Staff & Patient Safety, safer surgical care is possible only if your dedicated team of nurses, surgical techs and instru-
ment reprocessors are healthy enough to show up and do what they do best, day in and day out.
Cover design by Ethan Anderson
Staff
&
Patient
Safety
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