strict cost estimate. Unbeknownst
to me, one vendor I had high
hopes for had burned a bridge
with our materials management
department and couldn't even be
considered as a vendor choice.
Of course, none of these obsta-
cles compared to the COVID-19
curveball we were thrown back in
March. Due to budgetary issues,
we had to push back our goal of
making every OR smoke-free. But
that didn't stop us. Whenever I
faced resistance or encountered
unexpected setbacks, I channeled
my anger and frustration in my
notes, which I kept in a three-ring
binder. I'd write down my feel-
ings, get them off my chest and
then I'd move on.
On the other end of the spec-
trum, there were the positive sur-
prises. I was able to recruit dedi-
cated physician champions to fur-
ther our cause. These surgeons
read the research we painstaking-
ly prepared and understood
exactly what was at stake for our
staff and patients. When we tri-
aled vendors, they were right
there asking, "So when are we
getting our evacuators?"
Been there, done that
Between garnering support from
upper management, finding the
right vendors and drafting an
evacuation policy, it's easy to get
overwhelmed with going smoke-
free. The good news is you don't
have to reinvent the wheel. Reach
out to facilities that have gone
through the process and there's a
good chance you'll find lots of
willing allies — and maybe even
a true mentor.
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0
• O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y . N E T • 9
Going
Smoke-Free?
Our program can help guide
you every step of the way.
Enroll in the Clear the Air
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program and
partner with CONMED to maximize your
effort and ensure a seamless transition to
a smoke-free operating room.
Through this program, we offer a step
by step process to help you achieve
your smoke-free goals.
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