Clock in, scrub up, and join us behind the red line. We are First Case – an operating room podcast bringing you exciting interviews, engaging discussions, and innovative solutions that are changing the way patients receive surgical care. Each episode we talk to frontline staff, perioperative leadership, and nursing entrepreneurs from across the country as they share their stories, experience and expertise on an industry we love. From the back table to the board room, from wheels in to wheels ...
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It's our final installment of our Expert Series On-The-Go series with Asset Recovery Expert Ashley Jackson! We're wrapping up the series with a final look at lifecycle management and discovering the benefits of reselling and recycling. "Overall, asset resale and recycling are key strategies for healthcare organizations looking to improve their bott…
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Everyday Disasters & Major Crises: Understanding Facilities' Role in Hospital Readiness
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Who keeps everything running smoothly at your facility when a disaster occurs? Find out on today's episode of First Case as we sit down with Josh Brackett, System Regulatory Director of Facilities Services at Banner Health. Josh will share his expertise on preparing for and mitigating disasters at the facilities level, emphasizing the critical role…
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Optimized for Accuracy: Identifying Pack Review and Procedure Card Best Practices
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How can perioperative clinicians and supply chain work together to optimize supply consumption and documentation to support enhanced patient care? Find out in today’s Vendor Spotlight™ featuring Jen Nichols, BSN, RN, Clinical Consultant for Cardinal Health™ Presource® Solutions and Debbie Davis, Vice President of Product and Marketing Strategy for …
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"Decommissioning is clearly more than just getting rid of old equipment. It is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and execution to ensure the safety, compliance of the equipment, as well as the protection of patient and facility data." So what do you need to consider before you start hauling old, unused equipment to the curb? Find …
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Wilderness Life Support: Preparing for Emergencies Beyond the Hospital
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What happens if you find yourself in the middle of an emergency in the wilderness? Or what if a natural disaster forces you to leave your home? Dr. Glenn Barnes, associate clinical professor of nursing at UT Tyler, Tyler Texas, joins us today to address the unique training associated with Wilderness Medicine and Survival Training. Tune in to discov…
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Redesigned for Reliability: Streamlining Procedural Supplies & Operational Efficiency
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Dive into a world of strategic collaboration, operational efficiency, and exciting improvements in healthcare delivery in this First Case Vendor Spotlight™ featuring Elke Jackson, RN, BSN, Director Perioperative Services, and Amanda Lucas, PhD, RN, Director of Quality and Sterile Processing at ECU Health. Discover how ECU Health navigated the COVID…
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Welcome to episode 10 of our Expert Series On-The-Go with Asset Recovery Expert Ashely Jackson! Today we're learning about equipment disposition and resale and the process of disposing of assets that are no longer needed or have reached the end of their useful lifespan. Tune in to discover one of the key benefits of asset redeployment! ------- In t…
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Code Blue Confidence: Strategies for Training, Simulation, & Readiness
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What does it look like when there’s a code in the operating room? Do you feel confident in your ability to respond, or do you secretly hope that someone else will handle everything? In today’s interview, we’re speaking with resuscitation expert Dr. Susan Davis, DNP, RN, EMT-P. Susan is the Resuscitation Manager at a healthcare system in Florida, a …
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Customized for Efficiency: Exploring Robotic Assisted Surgery & Procedural Pack Solutions
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Discover the world of robotic assisted surgery in this First Case Vendor Spotlight™ with Robbie George, Vice President of Surgical Services at Ballad Health. In this exciting episode, we’ll hear Robbie’s personal story of success with implementing and growing a robotics program, plus, we’ll discover how he used communication and education to overco…
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Disaster Response: Insights from Emergency Management
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What is the biggest challenge that hospital staff face in preparing for disasters? Find out today as we dive into the world of emergency management with Derek Trabon, Director of Emergency Management at the University of Texas at Austin. Derek shares his journey into disaster preparedness, recounts his experiences during the Ebola crisis in Texas, …
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The Cost of Ownership: Equipment Service and Support
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In this 9th episode of our Expert Series On-The-Go with Asset Recovery Expert Ashely Jackson, we learn more about the integral parts of lifecycle management. Plus, Ashley will highlight how addressing these areas allows healthcare providers to improve their bottom line while still providing top-notch patient care. Tune in now! ------- In this 12-Pa…
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From 9/11 to Now: Developing an Effective Disaster Response
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How can we be prepared for mass casualty events, terrorist attacks, or natural disasters? What core competencies should we know so that we’re prepared when disaster strikes? Joining us today to talk all things disaster preparedness is Dr. Joanne Langan, Professor at St. Louis University, Valentine School of Nursing. In today’s conversation we’ll ta…
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"Service reporting is more than routine paperwork; it's the lifeline of medical equipment maintenance and patient safety in healthcare facilities. In order to truly leverage this tool, standardizing the way Biomedical Engineering teams categorize equipment failures is crucial." In this 8th episode of our series, Ashley explains why service reportin…
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Prepared for Anything: Real-Life Lessons in Readiness
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What happens when disaster strikes? Do you know what your role is in an emergency? In today’s introductory episode of Season 12, First Case co-hosts Melanie and Chris kick off our season on Disaster Preparedness by sharing their own experiences of the unexpected. Tune in as Chris shares about her experience with Hurricane Harvey as the Medical Liai…
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Maintenance Scheduling: Equipment Service & Support
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"Medical equipment can seem boring. It sits in the corner, quietly doing its job, never complaining, or asking for anything in return. However, each device serves a crucial role in patient care and cannot be forgotten." In this 7th episode of our series, we're going to learn about preventative maintenance, the different factors at play when establi…
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Chasing Your Passion: Educating & Advocating for CST Success
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If you ask a patient who took care of them in the OR, they’ll definitely remember their surgeon, and they’ll probably remember their anesthetist and their nurse. But, do they ever remember the surgical technologist (ST)? Do they even know there was another expert scrubbed in for their case? In this Season 6 interview with Chris Blevins, CST, Founde…
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"With the high cost of medical equipment and the constant demand for new and innovative technologies, effective inventory management is crucial for maximizing the lifespan and value of these assets. By tracking and managing inventory in real-time, healthcare facilities can make informed decisions about when to repair, replace, or upgrade their equi…
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What's Holding You Back: Pushing Through Limiting Mindsets for Professional Growth
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Let's be real. There's a lot of..."stuff" that can hold us back. Even stuff we aren't aware of. Today’s interview with Lindsay Brown, VP of Sales and Marketing at Beyond Clean, will be an exploration of common limiting mindsets that prevent personal and professional growth. What IS a limiting mindset? How do our thoughts limit our progress? And how…
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Project Management and Equipment Receiving & Staging
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"In an industry where time is of the essence and resources are often limited, effective project management can mean the difference between success and failure. Effective project management is essential in the field of medicine, where the stakes are high and the margin for error is small." Tune in to episode 5 to discover how improper receiving and …
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In Good Company: Highlighting the Benefits of Professional Organizations
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Have you ever thought about joining a professional organization? Is there any value or benefit to joining? In this Season 6 episode of “Success in Scrubs,” we speak with Stella Yau, BSN, RN, CNOR, about the benefits of professional organizations. Go beyond simply earning CEs, and dive into the relationships, networking, and mentoring that professio…
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Sourcing Equipment & Negotiating the Best Contract
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"Sourcing medical equipment and negotiating the best contract can be a daunting task for any healthcare organization. With so many options and factors to consider, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, taking the time to carefully review the options and negotiate a fair and favorable deal can pay off in the long run. " Tune in to episode 4 of our…
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Laying A Solid Foundation: Defining Professional Development
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Season 6 is coming in hot! This season, we’re tackling the topic of professional growth and development. What does that look like for perioperative professionals? Is there a certain path we’re supposed to follow? Is there more to professional growth than getting CEs? Join us as Jamie Terran, Certified Career Coach and VP of Marketing & Education at…
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The Cost of Ownership: Equipment Service and Support
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"Cost of ownership in medical equipment extends beyond initial purchase. It encapsulates the hidden expenses of maintenance, upgrades, replacements, and service contracts, significantly influencing the bottom line. A crucial aspect of efficiently managing these costs is standardization in categorizing equipment failures..." Tune in to episode 3 of …
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Bridging the Gap: Connecting Infection Prevention, Information Technology, and the OR
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We've wrapped up Season 11 and we're anxiously awaiting the launch of Season 12. While we wait, here's a throwback to Season 5! As our operating rooms become more technologically advanced, how do our Infection Preventionists keep up? How does Infection Prevention (IP) keep in step with the technology, and ensure that we are disinfecting all of the …
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Clinical Aromatherapy: Exploring the Power of Essential Oils
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With opioid abuse on the rise, many surgical patients and healthcare providers are seeking non-pharmacological approaches to manage pain, anxiousness, and postoperative nausea and vomiting. What alternatives are available in the healthcare setting? In this refreshing Vendor SpotlightTM, join us as we discover the world of clinical aromatherapy with…
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"Service reporting is more than routine paperwork; it's the lifeline of medical equipment maintenance and patient safety in healthcare facilities. In order to truly leverage this tool, standardizing the way Biomedical Engineering teams categorize equipment failures is crucial." Tune in to episode 2 of our series to hear more about service reporting…
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Going Beyond Opioids: Understanding Clinical Aromatherapy
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Is clinical aromatherapy the right choice for your surgical patient? In this final episode of Season 11, we’re joined by Melissa Vibberts, Director of Brand Management, and Laurel Flanagan, Clinical Product Specialist & Certified Aromatherapist with Elequil Aromatabs aromatherapy by Beekley Medical. In this episode, Melissa and Laurel share their j…
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In this 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series, we're learning from industry expert Ashley Jackson, VP of Asset Management Solutions at Mazree. With several years of experience at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as a Biomedical Engineering Manager, Ashley is a foremost expert in Asset Management. She now oversees the development and implemen…
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Going Beyond Opioids: Discovering the Benefits of Music
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Bob Marley once said, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” Everyone can recognize the power that music has. We’re drawn to it emotionally and spiritually, but we can also be affected by it physiologically. In today’s interview with Dr. Alice Cash, CEO & Founder, Surgical Serenity Solutions, we’re going to uncover the ma…
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Data-Driven Surgery: Empowering Confidence and Precision
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Is the data collected in your Surgical Services department useful? Can you depend on that data to make informed decisions about staffing, case volumes, and block time utilization? In today’s First Case Vendor SpotlightTM we’re going to discover data we can trust as we dive into the innovative world of Leap RailTM, a platform revolutionizing periope…
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Going Beyond Opioids: Understanding Opioid Sparing Surgery
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There are a variety of opioid-sparing techniques available for surgical patients and joining us today to tell us more about them is Orthopedic surgeon and opioid sparing advocate, Dr. Michael Redler. In today’s interview we’ll learn about the importance of patient education, regional blocks, and multimodal pain management strategies. Dr. Redler wil…
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Going Beyond Opioids: Managing Pain & Anxiety with Virtual Reality
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Can we manage pain and anxiety without medication? In today’s interview, we sit down with Jessica Hovland, DNP, RN, CPAN, NE-BC, PMGT-BC, registered nurse and the Senior Director for UT Health Austin’s Ambulatory Surgery Center, to answer this question! Tune in to discover how Jessica’s DNP research blended multimodal analgesia and virtual reality …
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Revolutionizing Efficiency: Unveiling the AITA Smart System
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In today’s First Case Vendor SpotlightTM, we dive into the future of healthcare operations with the AITATM Smart System. Tune in as we speak with Matthew Chila, Director of Digitally Enabled Solutions at Ethicon, Inc., and Phil Gaby, Executive Director of Surgical Service Lines at a Community-Based Health System in Florida, to explore how AITA is t…
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Going Beyond Opioids: Implementing ERAS Pathways
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Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathways are changing the surgical experience for our patients. Our surgical patients are experiencing shorter lengths of stay, decreased postoperative pain, a more rapid return of bowel function, and decreased readmission rates. Joining us today to provide more insight into the implementation and benefits of …
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Going Beyond Opioids: Navigating Pediatric Pain Management
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What does postoperative pain management look like in children? Is it the same as adults? In today’s episode, Dr. Erik Pearson, a pediatric surgeon in Las Vegas, NV, sheds light on this important topic and draws attention to the unique nature of pediatric pain. Tune in to discover the alarming statistics surrounding opioid addiction in the pediatric…
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Going Beyond Opioids: Discovering the Power of Regional Anesthesia
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Regional anesthesia (nerve blocks) improves the patient’s surgical experience, and the benefits of regional anesthesia last throughout the surgical procedure and well into the recovery process. Joining us today to talk all things regional anesthesia is Dr. Theresa Bowling, MD, Director of Anesthesia at the Connecticut Orthopedic Institute in Bridge…
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Is your hospital clean? Do patients see the privacy curtain and see that it hasn't been exchanged in over a year? "It’s not surprising that patients and their loved ones “know clean when they see it” and that they value it. If enough patients are saying the hospital is not clean as evidenced by a curtain that hasn’t been changed, hospital leadershi…
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Going Beyond Opioids: Redefining Pain Management
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Are you ready for Season 11 to begin?? In this season, we’re “Going Beyond Opioids” and focusing on the opioid crisis and alternative pain management methods. And we’re kicking it off with none other than Orthopedic Surgeon and Opioid Sparing Advocate, Dr. Scott Sigman! Tune in as Dr. Sigman shares his personal experiences and insights into the dev…
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Laser Precision in the OR: Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Quality
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How many times have you been asked to operate the laser during a case? Were you trained to operate that laser, and did you feel confident you could troubleshoot issues if anything went wrong? Inconsistent laser safety practices in the OR can significantly increase risk to patients and staff, impact OR efficiency and add to the administrative burden…
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The Cost Implications of Deploying Multiple Privacy Curtain Panels Per Track
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Is the "inexpensive" curtain you signed up for actually costing you more money? "When looking at “no-ladder” solutions that deploy a standardized curtain size (whether fabric or disposable) one should not just consider the per panel cost, but more importantly HOW MANY curtain panels are required based on your track lengths." This is episode 11 of o…
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A Candid Reflection: Serving and Learning in Honduras
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Have you ever wondered what it was like to work in an operating room in another country? Or, have you ever thought about serving on a medical mission team? In this week's Special Release interview, join host Chris Blevins as she interviews Melanie Perry about her recent medical mission trip to Honduras. Find out what it was like to work in a foreig…
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The Consequences of Ceiling-Mounted Cubicle Tracks
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Are ceiling-mounted cubicle tracks hindering room cleaning and patient turnovers? "It’s not surprising that curtains fly under the radar, creating significant patient and staff infection risk as they frequently remain in place too long. But how on earth can we expect EVS departments to figure out how to exchange these curtains, touched by everyone,…
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Antimicrobial Curtains: A False Sense of Security
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Are anti-microbial curtains making us feel safer than we are? "Current studies show that even pre-treated textiles can become contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. It is unfortunate that this “fecal patina” is not visible to the naked eye because this limitation allows for curtains to be bypassed for months by EVS management." This is episod…
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"Have you ever wondered what happens to items like used facemasks, gowns, or even those “recyclable” privacy curtains? You may assume they go “away,” but did you know there is no “away” when it comes to these Single Use Disposables (SUDs)?" Find out more in today's Expert Series On-The-Go! This is episode 8 of our 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go se…
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In this episode, Karen dispels the myths surrounding UV-C light disinfection for privacy curtains, and discusses how UV-C light disinfection is less efficient than laundering. Plus, discover how long it can take to adequately terminally clean a patient room if the privacy curtain is exchanged as well. This is episode 7 of our 12-Part Expert Series …
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We're halfway through our 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series! In this 6th episode, we're continuing the conversation with industry expert Karen Goelst, CEO and Founder of KleenEdge. With a 20-year background in architectural specialties and textiles, Karen became passionate about solving the issues surrounding privacy curtains following her 15-…
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Advocacy in Action: A Surgical Tech's Journey to Transforming the Profession
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What does advocacy look like within your facility? How can you speak to leadership in a way that can bring about change? Joining us to answer these burning questions is Dustin Cain, Coordinator of Quality and Education at a hospital in Atlanta, GA, and Current Treasurer for AST. In this final episode of Season 10 we’ll discuss the benefits of belon…
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Welcome to episode 5 of our 12-Part Expert Series On-The-Go series, where we're continuing the conversation with industry expert Karen Goelst, CEO and Founder of KleenEdge! With a 20-year background in architectural specialties and textiles, Karen became passionate about solving the issues surrounding privacy curtains following her 15-year-old son’…
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Empowering the Patient: A Journey into Patient Advocacy
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For all of us working in healthcare, it’s clock in and clock out, day in and day out. We’re accustomed to the atmosphere of the facility, we understand how the clinics and systems work, and we know our way around the place. As we talk today with Claudia Cometa, Executive Healthcare Consultant and Owner at Peace Advocacy Group, we’ll be reminded tha…
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The Power of Pockets: Revolutionizing Surgical Gown Design
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Do you ever wish there was an extra set of hands available to help hold forceps or a pair of scissors during a case? What if you could add this convenience and efficiency by using instrument pockets? In this exciting First Case Vendor Spotlight™, we learn all about the innovative development of the SmartGown™ EDGE Breathable Gown with ASSIST™ Instr…
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