ORM-Queen

Just an FYI... we had an article floating around our OR some time ago in regards to needle/lab/instrument visibility on Xrays when attempting to "clear" an opsite after unresolved counts... I can't remember exactly where the end of the range was on needle size, but a fair number of the common suture needle sizes appeared nearly invisible to us. Now if that was due to the poor copy of the article or that we're not trained Radiologists, I leave that to you to decide... And I don't care WHO you are, that's poor practice to not account for sharps/sponges/instruments Before and Following non-emergency procedures... and I'd be scared if that's what the facility policy allows... I know I don't want to end up on 20-20 for being involved in a "retained foreign object" scandal...

There are a few things you need to consider- first, these companies assume you're at a large hospital... coming from a smaller Critical Access facility we've found with our system that we don't do things the same as always suggested because of staffing, or how patient care is covered. Remember, every system has it's quirks. The key is in how you design the information to flow. Don't get caught up in focusing on the "part" that's being deployed at that stage, make sure you have an over-all data continuity of how you want it to ultimately work together in the end. We currently use Meditech and are continuing to deploy modules, but the facility isn't hiring staff to support/cover before they start doing the project. Plus we have no clinical analyst on staff overseeing how the patient information integrates or ensuring some standard of design, which makes it difficult sometimes because we work harder than necessary. Hope that helps...

Hi- First off, "Standing" is not something that happens frequently, unless you're in a long, tedious procedure. You need to be in shape if you're considering any aspect of OR. If you're a scrub nurse, you're going to need hand and upper body strength. If you're a circulator, you need to be in good over-all condition because odds are, if the facility is busy at all, you'll be constantly on the go. Internships, especially in the OR, are not well advertised. You'll find a lot of discrimination towards new grads saying you don't have the assessment skills needed, but take it from someone who went straight to OR from school, it can be done, it will be overwhelming, for say about 2 years! But if it's something you're passionate about you can make it... just remember that you'll be learning so many different fields, between fine-tuning physical assessment, lab interpretation, Anesthetic interactions and impact on physiology, surgical interventions, positioning and impact on anatomy,...I could keep going. Best suggestion I can make, is look for ANY Surgical position that you can find advertised and send your resume. Our latest new grad we're prepping to become a circulator is just finishing up her "intro" to surgery by starting as a SDS nurse. Keep in mind, "failure" in the OR is not due to being a new grad, cuz I've outlasted more "seasoned" nurses who couldn't cut it... and I'm going on my 9th year in OR... Good Luck!

We haven't noted any specific combination reactions, but we have made it policy now to remove all chloraprep following procedures using our alcohol-based hand foam...

Do you mind if I ask where you're currently working? Or could you contact whoever supervises the use of Meditech in the OR and ask them to look at this thread? You're giving me a basic picture of what I'm looking for, but there's some background tie-ins that either the facility ORM Super-user, or coordinator, or administrator (pick the appropriate title) could add to this so I understand how fully integrated they have ORM/OE... Out of curiosity, do you then write on a patient label to identify the specimens?

Hi! I'm curious in your experience how the specimens are documented by the OR staff, and how you designate the exam level (Gross, Gross and Micro, etc) on those specimens, especially if you're doing it electronically. I'm trying to determine if anyone else has seen or uses Meditech to account for specimens and how the exam orders are done, whether on paper, through OE, and if anyone has seen Meditech autoprint labels for those specimens either through OE or attributes attached to a CDS... Can you help?

Hi- Looking for anyone or any facility currently using the ORM module of Meditech for documenting/entering orders for specimens or cultures taken in the OR. I'm currently working the issue for deployment and have hit a crossroads with multiple ways to get it done... just looking to see if anyone has any input on the subject.