February 2022 Table of Contents Editor’s Page: Willing to Go the Distance Life on the Road Nationwide staffing shortages and surges of COVID variants are fueling unprecedented demand for travel nurses at the front lines of care. Small Incision, Big Results Endoscopic carpel tunnel release allows patients to recover with little discomfort and return to normal life activities in days. Tackling Total Joints Here's what you need to know about preparing patients for successful outcomes. Highly Efficient Cataract Surgery Put practices in place to make procedures smoother and easier for surgeons, staff and patients. How to Handle MH Make sure your staff is trained to jump into action at the first sign of trouble. How Do You Know Instruments Are Sterile? Proper training, standardized practices and regular audits bring peace of mind. Advances in Orthopedics Surgery without sedation, the ramping up of robotic-assisted joint replacements and the emergence of smart implants are pushing patient care forward. Can You Pass This Pain Control Quiz? Test your staff’s knowledge on nerve blocks, opioid-sparing analgesic regimens, pain pumps and other ways to provide relief to those you treat. The Science Supports Whole-Room Disinfection Automated cleaning systems are providing extra assurance for infection prevention efforts. Trend to Watch: Inside the Consolidation of Anesthesia Services Surgical facilities are rethinking how they do business as national firms set their sights on acquiring independent providers. Understanding the Dangers of Perioperative Hypothermia The preventable condition increases risks of post-op infection, serious complications and longer recovery times. Tools and Techniques for Better Airway Management Video laryngoscopes and laryngeal mask airways help providers maintain ventilation and oxygenation during difficult cases. Ideas That Work: Take Time for a Tea Break Ideas That Work: Fire Drills Are in the Bag Ideas That Work: Preparing Patients to Head Home Ideas That Work: Keep Surgery and Sterile Processing Connected Ideas That Work: There Is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch! Ideas That Work: How Well Do You Know Your Staff? DEI: We Need More Women Surgeons My goal is to make orthopedics a more diverse and inclusive specialty. Infection Prevention: Be Exact When Cleaning Surfaces Use the right products and protocols to disinfect high-touch areas. Business Advisor: It’s the Little Things That Count Control your costs by keeping a close eye on small expenditures. Product News Great ideas for your OR Behind Closed Doors: Love at First Slice Surgery has set my heart aflutter from the moment we met. DID YOU SEE THIS?