5. Hold a team huddle each
morning.
A 3-minute meeting
with your turnover squad before
the day's cases can reinforce team
spirit. You might, for example,
share the turnover times: where
you started, where you were yes-
terday, where you need to go.
Pump up for today. Thank every-
one for their effort and their hus-
tle. H-U-S-T-L-E!
6. Establish a core tech posi-
tion.
The core tech's responsibili-
ties could include ensuring case
cart accuracy, placing case carts
outside the appropriate OR, and
ensuring readiness/availability of
appropriate equipment. That way,
equipment issues are no longer the
responsibility of the circulating
nurse, which would free up the
nurse to focus on patient readi-
ness as a first priority. Adding the core tech doesn't necessarily
require additional FTEs. Instead, better realignment of existing staff
within either the OR or central sterile processing could help staff the
position.
7. Check out your disinfectant solution. What are the contact
and drying times of the cleaning solution you're using? Faster times
6 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U N E 2 0 1 8
"If too many people are clean-
ing the room at once and no
one knows their particular
tasks, some surfaces will be
cleaned more than once and
some surfaces not at all."