RUNNING 2 ROOMS Some surgeons will stop at nothing to keep both of their ORs open.

Once you have 2 rooms, the saying goes, you'll never go back. For years, I've had the blessing of 2 ORs, which lets me complete my cases by a reasonable hour (usually). But when my cases go past the witching hour of 5 p.m., I'm in danger of losing my second room. I'll do just about anything to make sure that doesn't happen.

"We don't have the staff." I shudder when I hear these words. I'll miss dinner with my wife, get to bed late and even miss SportsCenter highlights. But after 5 p.m., either nursing or anesthesia may not have enough bodies to manage the second OR. If anesthesia is short-staffed, I ask the CRNA what his favorite liquor is and promise to deliver this within a week if my room can be staffed. He doesn't drink? I switch to Happy Meal coupons. If a nursing shortage is the problem, I approach any potentially available nurse and tell her that she's always been my favorite and that she's grossly underappreciated for all she does. If she'll stay "a little later" that day, I'll promise anything from candy to sports tickets.

I'm exaggerating of course, but as my mother always taught me, "You gather more bees with honey than vinegar." Kindness trumps anger. I've seen colleagues lose their cool when they lose their room. You might hear these frustrated surgeons say, "These are scheduled cases! I'm taking my cases elsewhere!" Such juvenile behavior only thwarts a workable solution. We each bring our own baggage to every dysfunctional scenario. For example, did Surgeon A really think he would get undivided attention and 2 dedicated rooms after booking 10 long cases? Did Surgeon B ever recognize that a 3-hour appendectomy and 2 rooms just don't jibe?

More often than not, in an effort to help me, a staff member will oblige my request to stay on later. She'll arrange for child transportation or inform her spouse that she'll be a little tardy for dinner so that "Dr. Kelly can finish up."

We Irish don't forget kind acts rendered on our behalf. A simple thank-you note, a kind word or an occasional bottle of bourbon goes a long way in demonstrating gratitude. When we spread around goodness and kindness, we will be blessed in return. Send for the next patient!

CELEBRATE YOUR SURGEONS
Commemorate Case Milestones With Cake

We keep track of the number of cases each surgeon has done at our facility. When he reaches a significant milestone — such as 100, 1,000 or 2,000 cases — we celebrate in the lounge with a cake. What surgeon does not like a celebration in his honor?

Alisha Dorn, RN
Nebraska Surgery Center
Lincoln, Neb.
[email protected]