Ideas That Work: Easily Add Extra Outlets to Your ORs

Practical pearls from your colleagues

If your staff always finds itself in need of an open outlet that never seems to exist, here’s a simple fix: Power strips that can be mounted to IV poles, mobile carts and modular workstations — and wheeled into and out of the OR on an as-needed basis. Lisa York, MSN, RN, CASC, CAIP, executive director at the Hunterdon Center for Surgery in Flemington, N.J., got the idea at an industry conference, implemented it as soon as she returned and hasn’t looked back since. “There are never enough outlets in the OR, so this is very convenient for staff to use,” she says. These mounted strips also have approval for use and the inspection date listed on them. “We’ve had numerous state and AAAHC inspections while using these and haven’t had any issues,” says Ms. York. OSM