Full Conference Agenda

The 2024 OR Business Management Conference Program is packed with sessions that will help you maximize efficiencies, identify revenue opportunities and increase the profitability of the surgical suite while ensuring superior patient satisfaction.

Monday, February 5

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sponsored by:
   
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Room: Solano H
Pre-Conference Workshops, Staffing, Quality/Safety, Finance, Operations, Leadership
Hazel Boyd, MBA, Operations Manager, Transforming Tomorrow, Boston Children's Hospital
Bethany Daily, MHA, BA, Executive Director, Perioperative Services and Healthcare Systems Engineering, Massachusetts General Hospital
Sheila Stein, CNS, RN, FNP-BC, CRNFA, Nurse Practitioner and Robotics Coordinator, Surgical Services Consultant

Effective OR business management skills are critical to ensure that surgical services run smoothly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. 


This training course will focus on key aspects of managing resources effectively, fostering teamwork, ensuring quality, and communicating effectively. Members from the committee will give lessons and scenarios on how to improve performance as it relates to core competencies to effectively manage the business side of the surgical suite. 


Learning objectives: 

  • Identify ways to develop and maintain a positive work environment and foster teamwork among staff. 
  • Explore quality management principles, including process improvement, risk management, and patient safety. 
  • Discover areas for cost savings, how to track expenses and how to manage budgets. 
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Room: Solano F&G
Pre-Conference Workshops, Performance Improvement, Operations
Bob Medziuch, Vice President, Hasenstab Architects Inc.
Kaye Reiter, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Perioperative Subject Matter Expert and Consultant, Impact Advisors LLC
Kaycee Shiskowsky RN, MBA, NE-BC, EDAC, Manager of Clinical Planning and Design, UCHealth

Preparing for an OR renovation while keeping cases running is no easy task. Beginning a construction project and determining your workflow takes careful planning. How do you go about designing a new OR suite working within the square footage you have? Do you need an infection control risk assessment? How do you bring your space up to code? These are just some of the considerations to approaching a renovation project in the OR.


Attend this session to hear from one team on how they tackled one of the most challenging renovations. From redesigning the whole floor to determining their workflow, hear the lessons learned to master a successful renovation while keeping cases running.


Learning objectives:

  • Recognize who should be part of your construction team to give input on the space design.
  • Describe the pre-planning stages from construction drawings to determining your workflow.
  • Discover how to keep cases scheduled and your ORs running during a renovation project.

Tuesday, February 6

6:30 am - 6:30 pm
Sponsored by:
   
7:15 am - 8:00 am
Room: Solano A-D
8:00 am - 9:15 am
Room: Solano E
Performance Improvement, Keynotes, Technology/AI, Data Analytics, Quality/Safety, Regulatory, Operations
Young Juhn, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics and a Clinician Investigator, Mayo Clinic

U.S. healthcare organizations face major challenges in measuring and addressing the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH). However, SDOH plays a major role in treatment and patient outcomes, especially among the underserved. As healthcare providers, we are often constrained by a lack of validated, automated, scalable, standardized, and real-time patient data. This problem is further exacerbated from biased artificial intelligence (AI) tools and unfair risk adjustment models (RAM) used to assess performance and provide proper treatment.


Recognizing and addressing SDOH can lead to better health outcomes for individuals and communities. By addressing social factors that contribute to health disparities, healthcare systems can tailor care plans to individual needs. This personalized approach can lead to better adherence to treatment plans, improved patient outcomes and higher patient satisfaction scores.


Join us for the opening keynote where Dr. Young Juhn, Research Chair, Mayo Clinic Health System, Director, AI Program of Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and Director, Precision Population Science Lab at Mayo Clinic will share his research on how the national cloud-based HOUSES Platform is transforming the industry, modernizing healthcare, and positively impacting the financial health of organizations.


Learning objectives:

  • Identify the current challenges for measuring and addressing SDOH in healthcare delivery.
  • Apply the HOUSES Index and its cloud-based platform to address the current national challenges for accurately measuring SDOH.
  • Give examples of ways to improve patient safety, quality and the financial health of an organization by applying the HOUSES index.

Take-home tool: Video on the “HOUSES” platform. This video will help users understand the Housing-Based Socioeconomic Status (HOUSES) Program to apply at their institutions. The video will explain how the platform works to translate scientific evidence into practice and policy.

Sponsored by:
   
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Room: Solano F&G
Breakout Sessions, Operations, Technology/AI, Performance Improvement, Quality/Safety
S. Trent Rosenbloom, MD, MPH, Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs and a Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

The burden of clinical documentation on healthcare professionals has had a demonstrated negative impact on health care delivery. This burden leads to a variety of negative outcomes including clinician burnout and decreased job satisfaction as well as increased medical errors and hospital-acquired infections. 


In a joint effort, a national group of Health Informaticists and key industry stakeholders have put together a call-to-action plan targeting providers, health systems, health IT vendors and advocacy groups. The aim is to drive clinical documentation burden to a level equivalent to 25% of its present state within 5 years.


Attend this session to learn how the call-to-action plan is evolving, what that means for maintaining electronic health records in the future, and what you can do to reduce administrative burden in your health system.


Learning objectives:

  • Describe the six domains of documentation burden.
  • Explore strategies to reduce administrative burden.
  • Establish guiding principles for adding documentation to EHRs.

Take-home tool: Toolkit to guide organizations through the process of reducing documentation burden and provide resources related to governance of EHR optimization, implementation of solutions to reduce burden, and measurement of burden reduction.

10:15 am - 11:15 am
Room: Solano E
Finance, Operations, Breakout Sessions, Performance Improvement
Adam Becker, Assistant Vice President, Financial Operations, Perioperative Services, North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Northwell Health
Ryan Ott, Manager, Financial Operations, Perioperative Services, North Shore University Hospital, Northwell Health

In recent years, North Shore University Hospital’s perioperative services team has cultivated a culture of cost-effectiveness through formation of interdisciplinary teams comprising surgeon and nurse manager leads, along with frontline team members.

 

These teams have been focused on generating cost savings through product standardization, tray rationalization, and preference card management. By implementing these measures, they have successfully achieved nearly $1 million in savings.


Attend this session to learn the steps they took and how you can reduce costs without compromising patient care in your facility.


Learning objectives:

  • Calculate high yield cost savings opportunities in the operating room.
  • Explain concepts of a multidisciplinary approach to change management.
  • Develop strategies to utilize data and analytics to derive cost savings insights.

Take-home tool:

Cost savings template to track annualized savings projections, provided in an excel format to allow participants to plug in their own data.

10:15 am - 11:15 am
Room: Solano H
Outpatient, Technology/AI, Regulatory, Breakout Sessions
Jamie Clow, Research Analyst, Cleveland Research Company

Market and regulatory changes are leading to the migration of traditional inpatient procedures to lower-cost settings. Attend this session to hear the latest intelligence from the investment analyst community on trends impacting the future of healthcare delivery models. Learn how hospitals can prepare for the shift to outpatient procedures and how commercial payers are reacting.


Learning objectives:

  • Discover the latest innovations in orthopedics, spine and cardiovascular procedures in the outpatient setting.
  • Recognize the advances in robotic technology and what that looks like for future surgical procedures.
  • Develop a strategy for the migration of traditional inpatient procedures to the outpatient setting. 

Take-home tool:

A checklist of how to evaluate adding other service lines in primary growth markets.

11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Room: Solano E
Breakout Sessions, Operations, Performance Improvement, Leadership
Nyleen Flores, Administrator, Total Surgery Center

Achieving success in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) relies on fostering excellence and a sense of teamwork. This presentation delves into the significance of collaboration within an ASC and its crucial role in accomplishing organizational goals. It outlines key areas within the organization, highlights their importance, explores the interdependencies between these areas, and provides insights into establishing efficient communication channels throughout the center.


Learning objectives:

  • Define clear goals and objectives for each department within the ASC.
  • Cultivate effective communication skills to enhance operational efficiencies.
  • Explore strategies to increase efficiencies through goal setting and streamlined communication practices.

Take-home tool: Teamwork staffing infographic will provide a snapshot of cross functional teams in business operations, clinical operations and administration. The infographic demonstrates the core pillars of support leading to better patient outcomes, staff satisfaction and increased profitability.

11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Room: Solano H
Technology/AI, Breakout Sessions, Regulatory, Quality/Safety
Teressa Sanzio, RN, MPA, JD, Nurse Attorney, Law Office of Teressa M Sanzio PC

As the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has been gaining momentum in the healthcare sector, the number of FDA-cleared algorithms has surged. This exponential growth signifies the immense potential of AI in healthcare and raises important questions about liability and patient safety.


What are the risks and implications if AI fails? Who’s to blame—is it the hospital’s, the manufacturer’s, or the healthcare professional’s fault? Attend this session to learn where the liability stands if something goes wrong, and how technology is evolving to improve patient outcomes.


Learning objectives:

  • Explore the relationship between vendors and providers and why communication is important.
  • Compare how AI and a data driven approach can support clinical decision-making processes and improve patient outcomes.
  • Explain the importance for humans to double check AI and not take results at face value.
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Room: Solano F&G
Breakout Sessions, Staffing, Operations
Tammy Straub, MSN, RN, APRN, CNOR, Administrator of Perioperative Services, Lehigh Valley Health Network
Alexandre Warman, MBA, Administrator of Perioperative Business Services, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) assessed alternative solutions to support staffing shortages. Working collaboratively with patient care services, two different float pools were created to improve efficiencies. As a result, LHVN immediately reduced temporary labor expenses by over $1.3 million. It is expected with each additional multispecialty float addition, LVHN can reduce temporary labor expenses by approximately $125,000 per person each year. By December, 2024, LHVN expects to eliminate nearly $5.5 million in temporary labor expenses. Attend this session to learn the steps they took and how to apply the methodology at your institution.  


Learning objectives:

  • Discover how to develop a retention program collaborating with clinical and business services.
  • Explore creative strategies to build a multi-specialty float pool.
  • Discuss how to leverage data to increase surgical volume and reduce expenses.

Take-home tool:

Room utilization template, a copy of program requirements and the educational process.

Tim FitzGerald, MHA, FACHE, Assistant Vice President, Perioperative Services, Lexington Medical Center
Jay Hamm, RN, BSN, FACHE, Vice President Operations, Lexington Medical Center
Sponsored by:
   

Hospitals and healthcare systems today are facing a set of unprecedented challenges, such as staffing shortages and increasing demand for treatment, with fewer resources available. Perioperative leaders are struggling to balance available resources like staffing and equipment with the demand for additional operating room time. Furthermore, low block utilization, lack of visibility into open OR time, and mistrust in operational data are compounding challenges and making it difficult to achieve strategic initiatives.


To unlock the full potential of operating rooms, transform perioperative operations, and achieve sustainable results, organizations are increasingly leveraging the power of predictive and prescriptive analytics to access real-time data and make better-informed operational decisions. Lexington Medical Center's Vice President of Operations and Assistant Vice President of Perioperative Service have embarked on a journey to address universal perioperative operational challenges. By adopting data-driven strategies, they have been able to break through historical barriers of low block utilization and lack of open OR time and to notably do more, with less. 


In this discussion, the team will share their journey and insights on how they achieved impressive results, such as optimizing staffing and increasing OR utilization through surgeon engagement and collaboration. Join us to learn about Lexington Medical Center’s journey to date, and where they are headed next. Here are just a few of their early achievements: 


● 8% increase in case volume

● 11% increase in block utilization

● 3% increase in primetime utilization


Learning objectives:

  • Discover how to identify opportunities to optimize staffing and increase OR utilization through surgeon engagement and collaboration.
  • Learn about the benefits of leveraging predictive and prescriptive analytics to access real-time data and make better-informed operational decisions.
  • Gain insights into how to break through historical barriers of low block utilization and lack of open OR time.

Take-home tool:

Checklist on tips for successful collaboration and lessons learned.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Room: Solano A-D
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Room: Solano A-D

Optimizing Perioperative Services: A Transition to Centralized Value Analysis Committees in Large Healthcare Systems

Blas Brown, Jr., MBA, Business Director of Perioperative Services, MedStar Health


Workplace Violence Prevention Integration in the Safety-Net Healthcare System

Beverly Kirchner, BSN, RN, CNOR, CASC, Corporate Compliance Officer, SurgeryDirect


OR Optimization Strategies

Mike Martenson, MBA, Operations Manager, Mayo Clinic Surgical Services & Pain Rehab Clinic


Alternative Therapies for Reducing PONV  

Claire Everson, RN, CNOR, CCAP, Clinical Educator and Consultant


3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Room: Solano F&G
Breakout Sessions, Supply Management, Finance
Stephanie Casanova, MBA, Director, Procedural Business Services, Massachusetts General Hospital
Courtney Costello, Senior Analyst, Strategic Technology Implementation and Impact, Massachusetts General Hospital

Over the past 10 years, Massachusetts General Hospital has been evaluating the introduction of new products to enhance patient care. This session will provide insights into their product selection process, how they successfully onboarded and offboarded products and the methodology for evaluating financial impact.


Learning objectives:

  • Calculate the financial and operational impact of product requests to inform decision-making.
  • Develop a template for effectively tracking and managing the product introduction process.
  • Establish a new product committee to facilitate decision-making and implementation.

Take-home tool:

A template for calculating the financial and operational impact of product requests and a tracking tool that can be applied locally to the attendee’s institution.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Room: Solano E
Breakout Sessions, Staffing, Performance Improvement, Leadership
LTC Shari Bowen, Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, United States Military Academy

This session is for new and long-time OR business managers looking to improve their leadership skills to keep up with trends impacting the changing workforce. This session will provide essential training tools you need to help you excel in your role to lead your team moving forward. Attend this session to learn new approaches to effectively leading your team including: staff engagement, staff retention, soft skills, tapping into emotional intelligence, understanding culture shifts and building an inclusive OR. 


Learning objectives:

  • Examine the concept of emotional intelligence and its practical application in the realm of leadership.
  •  Explore the topic of diversity and delve into strategies for fostering an inclusive culture.
  • Construct soft skills to manage people and how that translates into staff engagement and staff retention. 
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Room: Solano H
Operations, Regulatory, Finance, Breakout Sessions, Quality/Safety
Lauren Cricchi, Associate Principal, Financial Services, Avalere Healthcare
Katie Sullivan, Senior Vice President, Legal, Epiphany Dermatology

The transition from a volume-based care to a value-based care model is an ongoing process within the U.S. healthcare system. Initially, providers were compensated based on the quantity of services rendered. However, the system has progressed towards rewarding performance, with the ultimate goal of prioritizing higher value care. Presently, we find ourselves in an intermediary phase where payment is based on performance. What is the future of value-based care and how will it impact surgical services?


Learning objectives:

  • Explore alternative payment models that incentivize high-quality care.
  • Discover what reimbursement will look like under a value-based care model.
  • Learn how value-based care can improve financial performance.

Take-home tool:

A list of regulatory references for advancing value-based patient care.

4:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Room: Solano E
Technology/AI, General Sessions, Quality/Safety
Jason Launders, Director of Operations, Device Evaluation, ECRI

Each year in January, ECRI publishes their Top 10 Health Technology Hazards. Produced by ECRI’s device evaluation group, the list identifies the potential sources of danger ECRI believes warrant the greatest attention for the coming year and offers practical recommendations for reducing risks. Attend the General Session, presented by ECRI, as they unveil their Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2024.


Learning objectives:

  • Identify the top 10 health technology hazards impacting patient safety.
  • Explain which technology risks should be prioritized in 2024 and beyond.
  • Develop a risk management checklist to help achieve patient safety efforts.

Take-home tool: Top 10 health technology hazards and key highlights on the areas to watch specific to the OR.

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Wednesday, February 7

6:45 am - 5:00 pm
Sponsored by:
   
Annette Alvarado-De Castro, MSN, RN, Executive Perioperative Consultant, Fujitsu
Maria Cabrera, MA, MSN, RN, CNML, Director of Surgery, Perianesthesia Services & Specialty Areas, DOCTORS Hospital
Robert W. Choquette BSN, RN, Director, Baptist Health Surgery Center Coral Gables
Christian Gregory, Solution Innovation Consulting, Fujitsu
Sponsored by:
   

Let this be your inflection point to explore a new technology paradigm and discover how the right technology can help you address your most pressing challenges, to improve scheduling efficiency, enhance organizational financial health and boost quality of care.


In this session, we will discuss how we are addressing the root cause of surgical scheduling and planning inefficiencies with Baptist Health of South Florida. By empowering productive communication based on precise, historical, and scheduled data, Doctors Hospital and Coral Gables Surgical Center can ensure block time allocations truly reflect demand. 


No guesswork. No missed opportunities. Just precision perioperative surgery scheduling.


Learning objectives: 

  • Discover intelligent recommendations that transform OR planning habits leading to unprecedented improvement in planning and performance.
  • Describe how using a 'digital twin' of your OR environment can test what would happen in a range of scenarios.
  • Improve scheduling efficiency to enhance quality of care.
Sponsored by:
   
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Room: Solano H
Operations, Supply Management, Breakout Sessions, Performance Improvement
Marisela Morell, Interim Manager Sterile Processing, Boston Children's Hospital
Jeff O Brien, Director Central Processing/ Regulatory Compliance, Hackensack University Medical Center

Attend this session to get education on the benefits to centralizing sterile processing departments. Experiences will be shared via stories and tactics on how to transform a decentralized department into a centralized department. Discussions will include process improvements, tray utilization, and inventory management.


Learning objectives: 

  • Recognize the pros and cons of centralizing the sterile processing department.
  • Discover resources and tools to identify cost savings.
  • Overcome boundaries while streamlining processes and standardization.

Take-home tool:

Top recommendations on what the Joint Commission is looking for in a facility regarding water standards, ST108 and how to become compliant.

9:30 am - 10:30 am
Room: Solano E
Breakout Sessions, Technology/AI, Performance Improvement
Michelle Toder, MD, Clinical Lead, Computer Assisted Surgery Program, Northern Light Eastern Main Medical Center

Are you a business manager struggling to find the justification to invest in a robotics program for your organization? Look no further! In this captivating session, we will delve into the myriad of ways to rollout a robotics program and explore the financing options available to make this transformative investment a reality.


For the anti-robot business manager, it may be tempting to dismiss the potential benefits of integrating robotics into your operating room. However, the evidence speaks for itself. By embracing the power of robotics, you can attract and recruit well-trained surgeons, elevate the quality of care delivered at your center, and significantly shorten the length of patient stays.


But that's not all. Investing in a robotics program has the potential to yield better patient outcomes, reduce instrumentation costs, and improve efficiencies and turnover time. These are not mere hypotheticals; they are data-driven realities that have been observed across a multitude of healthcare institutions.


Hear from Dr. Michelle Toder, Director of Surgical Weight Loss at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, the pioneer in robotic weight loss surgery, being the first surgeon in the world to perform a weight loss surgery with robotic assistance. Join this session as she shares her insights, best practices, and lessons learned, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to take the leap into the future of surgical technology.


Learning objectives:

  • Discover how investing in your robotics program can revolutionize your center, enhance patient care, and position your institution at the forefront of surgical innovation.
  • Demonstrate the financial advantages of robotics, such as reduced hospital readmissions, improvement in quality care and enhanced revenue streams.
  • Justify the ROI and explore how a robotics program can be a tool to help recruit and retain surgeon talent at your facility.

 

Take-home tool: Industry financials to justify the ROI for a robotics program.

9:30 am - 10:30 am
Room: Solano F&G
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable, Finance
Bethany Daily, MHA, BA, Executive Director, Perioperative Services and Healthcare Systems Engineering, Massachusetts General Hospital

The OR Business Management Program Committee will facilitate Peer Roundtables throughout the conference to discuss hot topics impacting OR business managers. This is your opportunity to share ideas and learn from like-minded individuals who are dealing with the same issues. Learn from your peers on best practices and how to improve your day-to-day business operations.


Topics for the financial discussion: 

  • Contribution margins
  • Cost savings opportunities
  • Price benchmarking 
  • Favorite capital purchase
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Room: Solano H
Breakout Sessions, Operations, Staffing, Data Analytics
Leigh Ann Nordt, Nurse Leader, Staffing Subject Matter Expert

As healthcare enters a new era, it is crucial to explore novel approaches to staffing solutions. Using workforce analytics and a data driven approach can help optimize staffing workflow to meet OR demand. This session will delve into the tools available to help solve workforce challenges. Explore ways to support team structures using predictive analytics to optimize staffing workflow. Learn how data driven decisions can maximize OR efficiencies and improve financial outcomes. 


Learning objectives:

  • Discover innovative solutions to workforce challenges. 
  • Formulate ways to optimize staffing through predictive analytics.
  • Support your teams and patients through data driven decisions.
10:45 am - 11:45 am
Room: Solano E
Operations, Breakout Sessions, Performance Improvement
John Olmstead, MBA, RN, CNOR, FACHE, Director Surgical Services & Emergency Department, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
W. Zeh Wellington, DNP, RN, NE-BC, Director of Procedural Care - Surgical Services, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital

The operating room (OR) and the sterile processing department (SPD) are high-risk environments influenced by culture, teamwork, and task complexity. 

SPDs are the backbone of hospitals and surgical centers. Without a well-trained and highly detail-oriented SPD, infection rates will rise, surgical site infections will increase, and surgeons will not have the proper tools to perform the patient’s procedure. 


Successful collaboration to meet service demand is critical. Attend this session to learn how to forge a stronger partnership between the OR and SPD to improve operational efficiencies for the future.


Learning objectives:

  • Recognize how insufficient communication regarding equipment requirements creates a communication gap between the OR's scheduling department and the SPD.
  • Explore the benefits of cross-orientation and job shadowing in fostering connections among staff members. 
  • Discover the value that sterile processing brings to an organization.

Take-home tools: Staffing calculation tool that will explain the methodology to calculate appropriate staffing levels in the Sterile Processing Department (SPD). A universal calculation method listing the processes performed by SPD teams and the associated average time will provide an estimate of expected staff workload. There will also be an inspection checklist guide with logs by department to prepare for Joint Commission visit.

10:45 am - 11:45 am
Room: Solano F&G
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable, Outpatient
Bob Winandy, MSN, MBA, RN, Chief Executive Officer, Brightside Surgical

The OR Business Management Program Committee will facilitate Peer Roundtables throughout the conference to discuss hot topics impacting OR business managers. This is your opportunity to share ideas and learn from like-minded individuals who are dealing with the same issues. Learn from your peers on best practices and how to improve your day-to-day business operations.


Topics for the ASC/outpatient surgery discussion: 

  • Expanding service lines
  • Reimbursement
  • Service contracts
  • ASC Joint Ventures
11:45 am - 1:15 pm
Room: Solano E
Marguerite Johnson, Head, Clinical Operations & Services, Pegasys Medical
Jason Rawlings, Head of Customer Deployment, Pegasys Medical
Suneel Shorey, Chief Executive Officer, Pegasys Medical
Krishna Yalamanchili, Head of Data Science and Analytics, Pegasys Medical
Sponsored by:
   

The problem of unnecessary and excessive instrumentation in surgical trays is an immense & aggressively growing one. Hospitals and ASCs are under tremendous operational strain, driving healthcare leaders to search for innovative cost containment strategies. Traditional methodology in addressing this problem is typically user survey or surgery observation. These methods are not only time consuming but lack objective data and are difficult to scale. The ORion™ platform represents a novel, innovative and evidence-based AI solution that enables hospitals to rapidly optimize surgical trays. This results in substantial monetary savings, OR/SPD time efficiency gain and enhanced environmental stewardship.


Learning objectives:

  • Describe what percentage of instruments in a surgical tray are actually used during a procedure.
  • Name three benefits that result from optimizing the instrumentation in surgical trays.
  • Give examples of three sources of cost savings that can result from optimization of the instrumentation in surgical trays.

Take-home tool: ROI calculator tool in Excel in which participants can enter 5-10 metrics to create a customized ROI assessment that is downloadable.

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm
Room: Solano A-D
Networking Events
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Room: Solano E
Operations, Breakout Sessions, Data Analytics, Quality/Safety, Leadership
Joe Falk, Associate Executive Director of Surgical Services/Trauma Services, University of Utah Health
Smitha Warrier, MD, Chief Surgical Operations Office, University of Utah Health

The leadership team at the University of Utah Health has worked to create increased connections between the perioperative executive committee and hospital operations in order to develop a new communications structure to address financial strain and capacity issues. Since implementation of the new communications structure, perioperative services have increased block utilization and improved operational efficiencies. Attend this session to understand the steps they took to improve performance and how they communicated key metrics to their OR governance committee. 


Learning objectives:

  • Examine the role of an OR business manager in providing support to the OR governance committee. 
  • Define the typical structure of an OR governance committee and how they measure performance.
  • Discover the key metrics and data that should be prioritized to effectively showcase the performance of your OR.

Take-home tool:

A template of bylaws for the Perioperative Executive Committee as well as the subcommittees.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Room: Solano H
Breakout Sessions, Quality/Safety, Operations
Tesha Nesbit, RCC, Founder and Principal, Phoenix Rising Coaching & Consulting

The five social determinants of health (SDOH) profoundly impact individuals' overall well-being and have long-lasting effects. These determinants encompass various aspects, including healthcare access, neighborhood conditions, and education, all of which play a significant role in every patient's admission. For marginalized individuals, these factors become even more critical. In this group coaching session, participants will explore how to critically examine their own understanding of health equity within their roles as healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes.


Learning objectives:

  • Apply Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to the framework of SDOH to gain a comprehensive understanding of how basic needs influence health outcomes.
  • Integrate equity checkpoints into workforce management practices to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all individuals in healthcare settings.
  • Embrace a community partnership approach to actively disrupt health inequities by collaborating with local organizations and stakeholders to address SDOH in a holistic manner.

Take-home tool: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) skills matrix template to help leverage your specific EQ style with an equity lens. This personalized behavioral map will help you to model culturally responsive approaches to patient care and wellbeing.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Room: Solano F&G
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable, Staffing, Leadership
Dolores Reisert, MS, RN, CNOR, NE-BC, Senior Director Patient Care; Perioperative Services, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Northwell Health
Denise Waslo, MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, NE-BC, Associate Executive Director, Perioperative Services, Long Island Jewish Valley Stream, Northwell Health

The OR Business Management Program Committee will facilitate Peer Roundtables throughout the conference to discuss hot topics impacting OR business managers. This is your opportunity to share ideas and learn from like-minded individuals who are dealing with the same issues. Learn from your peers on best practices and how to improve your day-to-day business operations.


Topics for the staffing/human resources discussion: 

  • Staff recruitment/retention
  • Creative staffing models
  • Staff orientation best practices
  • Staff recognition ideas 
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Room: Solano A-D
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Room: Solano H
Britta DeVolder, MBA, BSN, RN, CSSM, CNOR, Chief Nursing Officer of Surgical Services, Community Surgery Center of Glendale

This session will explore non-traditional staff, staffing models, and retention strategies in the ambulatory surgery center environment. A focus on the staffing challenges facing non-hospital surgical settings to recruit and retain talent will be discussed. Examples of retention strategies beyond pizza parties and pay raises will offer resources for leaders to propose and implement in their facility.


Learning objectives:

• Describe roles for non-traditional outpatient surgery center staffing.

• Explore options for implementing novel staffing models in the ASC environment.

• Determine innovative recruiting and retention strategies for staff in the ASC.


Take-home tool:

Tip sheet on how to implement a creative staffing model.

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Room: Solano E
Regulatory, Breakout Sessions, Quality/Safety, Finance
Soumi Saha, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Premier, Inc.

Will there be sweeping healthcare policy changes in 2024 that will impact providers? What legislation has been introduced in Congress that will likely be passed to improve healthcare delivery, staffing, supply chain, and medical billing? Attend this session to learn what regulatory changes are coming and how to prepare your OR.

 

Learning objectives:

  • Describe the latest bills introduced in Congress and what legislation might come to fruition.
  • Devise strategies to prepare your health system for policy changes.
  • Explore different ways to prepare for change to ensure you are compliant.
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Room: Solano F&G
Operations, Peer-to-Peer Roundtable
Matt Ruby, MHA, Business Operations Director, Surgical Services, Northwestern Medicine

The OR Business Management Program Committee will facilitate Peer Roundtables throughout the conference to discuss hot topics impacting OR business managers. This is your opportunity to share ideas and learn from like-minded individuals who are dealing with the same issues. Learn from your peers on best practices and how to improve your day-to-day business operations.


Topics for the operational efficiencies discussion: 

  • First case on-time starts/block scheduling
  • Advanced analytics/dashboards
  • System-ness & standardization
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Room: Chicken N Pickle Venue

Join your peers for some added fun outside of the conference venue, we’re hosting a Night Out! Join us at this brand-new location of Chicken N Pickle for a dinner buffet, drinks, and games!


Chicken N Pickle is a unique, indoor/outdoor entertainment complex whose mission is to provide an atmosphere that fosters fun, friendship, and community for all ages.


Located within walking distance from the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa, we’ve reserved a private indoor, rooftop space and we’ll have access to four pickleball courts, bocce, ping pong, cornhole, jenga and more! Just bring your sneakers and a fun attitude.


$90 per person

(Ticket included with Premier Pass)

Thursday, February 8

7:45 am - 12:00 pm
Sponsored by:
   
Aileen R. Killen, PhD, RN, Director of Perioperative Excellence, LiveData
Sponsored by:
   


In this presentation, Mr. Robbins will delve into the complexities of operating room (OR) scheduling, with emphasis on addressing the deficiencies in current methods for improving OR efficiency,


Highlighting the pivotal role of technology, this presentation will showcase how innovative scheduling software and real-time data capture can revolutionize scheduling practices and, thus, OR efficiency. Strategies for reshaping OR efficiency are outlined, emphasizing streamlined processes, day-of-surgery communication, and overcoming resistance to change. 


Success stories and case studies underscore the benefits of a revamped scheduling approach. At the same time, results from safety and situational awareness research ensure that a high-performance surgery department or center maximizes patient-centric care.


Looking ahead, this session forecasts future trends and innovations, urging the audience to embrace improved scheduling practices to fortify healthcare systems. This comprehensive presentation encapsulates actionable strategies and technological advancements aimed at redefining OR efficiency while prioritizing both patient care and hospital economics.


Learning objectives:

• Describe how innovative scheduling software and real-time data capture can revolutionize scheduling practices.

• Discover new strategies for reshaping OR efficiency beyond improving scheduling practices.

• Discuss the role of safety and situational awareness in maximizing patient-centric care.


9:45 am - 10:45 am
Room: Solano E
Operations, General Sessions, Supply Management, Quality/Safety, Finance
Michael Schiller, CMRP, Executive Director (Interim), American Hospital Association

Since the pandemic started, one of the biggest disrupters in the OR has been overcoming supply chain challenges. Pre-pandemic, the OR generally had what it needed in terms of supplies. Once the pandemic hit, priorities shifted. What the pandemic has taught us about the healthcare supply chain has been eye opening and has shifted our mindset for the future. As we settle into a post-pandemic era, reverting back to old ways is not an option. OR teams need to re-evaluate their resources and dedicate supply chain leaders to work hand-in-hand with the OR to protect their supply lines for the future.


Learning objectives:

  • Explore the concept of business continuity and strategies to proactively prepare and mitigate supply chain disruptions.
  • Examine the role and structure of supply chain value analysis teams and the advantages of having a clinical background.
  • Discover how the supply chain leader and the OR can work together and identify problems before disaster strikes.

Take-home tool:

Enterprise risk management tool for risk mitigation in the supply chain.

Karen Grimley, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, UCLA Health

What does the future hold for perioperative nursing, temporary staffing, and the use of travelers to address workforce shortages? How has the staffing crisis evolved since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and where do we stand today? Will travelers become a permanent fixture in healthcare staffing? Additionally, what legislative changes can we anticipate to regulate the fees charged by staffing agencies and prevent price gouging? Are there policies on the horizon that could impact nurse staffing ratios and bring about significant change?


Learning objectives:

  • Discover effective strategies for managing transient staff to ensure patient safety and high-quality care.
  • Explore the steps to organizational change and how to right-size your staffing model.
  • Apply concepts to solve workforce challenges that will increase efficiencies and profitability of the surgical suite.