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PHYSICIAN RELATIONS
will get to know you and your team as people instead of simply eyes peering over masks. You'll also find surgeons let down their guards and are more willing to share information. Staff, too, benefit from meeting docs before they enter the OR — they're much more
relaxed and more excited to work with and get to know them — and truly appreciate that first contact. My service specialists have told me it's nice to meet surgeons weeks before they operate for the first time in order to become familiar with their needs, set up their ORs correctly and form bases for all-important professional relationships. Surgeons have told me they appreciate seeing the facility beforehand instead of coming in cold with little to no knowledge of how your staff works.
Welcome to the team, doc
Not every surgeon will take advantage of your offer to come in before his first case. Some are legitimately too busy; others might not appreciate the importance of becoming familiar with your facility and staff. If a visit proves impossible to schedule, at least reach out to the surgeon to inquire about his instrument needs and develop his preference card. Regardless of the initial interest, get the orientation program up and running because you'll see interest grow as word spreads about its benefits.
Ms. Woodman (christine.woodman@uch.edu) is the nurse manager of day surgery and pre-procedure services at University of Colorado Health in Aurora.
