On-site inservice presentations are an convenient way for staff in an ambulatory surgery center to keep up -to-date with clinical issues, says Francine Ramirez, RN, administrator of the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute, a two-OR ASC in Lafayette, Colo.
The center, co-owned by four spine surgeons and Symbion, hosts a number of high-level spine cases, such as such as lumbar fusions up to two levels and posterior cervical fusions up to three levels. Staff members are committed to staying current.
"Inservices are a good way of keeping on top of things," Ms. Ramirez says. Vendors are often willing to give presentations on-site. For example, a representative from Pronerve, which makes intraoperative monitoring services, recently made an inservice presentation to staff on neuro-monitoring.
Physicians and staff at the ASC also make their own inservice presentations. The sterile processor did a presentation on his work, passing on valuable insights into the process. In the future, Ms. Ramirez says she may ask a surgeon or anesthesiologist to present on intrathecal pain management. "This is useful for nurses taking care of patients in recovery room," she says.
Patient safety is an important area for inservice presentations. For example, an OSHA representative provides an on-site inservice once a year on how to separate out medications that were left over.
The ASC also hosts routine drills. An anesthesiologist at the center leads a code blue drill, using a crashcart to demonstrate the scenario. Staff also runs through a drill covering what to do if a patient has malignant hyperthermia. There are also disaster drills, spill drills and fire drills.
Learn more about the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute.
Read more ideas for improvement:
- What Should Your Surgery Center Pay Its Employees?
- 5 Steps to Bring Total Joint Replacements Into Surgery Centers
- 4 Steps to More Satisfied Surgery Center Physicians