Surgery shouldn’t be a gateway to opioid addiction. In this First Case Articles on the Go episode, we explore how regional anesthesia and nerve blocks are transforming pain management, reducing opioid use, and improving surgical recovery. Listen now and find out why perioperative blocks are so important and how they're improving patient care.

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Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#operatingroom #ornurse #scrubtech #surgery #perioperative #PerioperativeNursing #RegionalAnesthesia #OpioidSparing #PatientSafety

Learning how to scrub isn’t as simple as just watching a few cases and picking it up as you go—at least, not if we’re committed to keeping our patients safe. In this week’s episode of First Case, we dive into the complexities of learning to scrub, whether you’re starting from scratch in a formal surgical tech program, getting on-the-job training, or you’re a nurse suddenly being asked to scrub in without the right background.

We cover why muscle memory is critical, why knowing why we do what we do matters just as much as the how, and the risks of passing down bad habits because "this is how I was taught." We also share practical tips and resources for anyone who wants to grow their skills—because in the OR, learning never stops. Whether you’re new to scrubbing or have 30 years of experience, there’s always something new to learn, and there’s no room for gatekeeping knowledge when patient safety is on the line.

#operatingroom #ornurse #operatingroomnurses #surgery #scrubtech #surgicaltechnologist

We desperately want our ORs to be efficient. So do our surgeons. So why does it feel like productive engagement and communication is often easier said than done? As daunting as it may sometimes seem, engaging with our surgeons is crucial to improving efficiency, communication, and collaboration in the OR.

In this episode of First Case, we’re joined by orthopedic surgeon and DOCSI CMO Dr. Pearce McCarty, who offers an open and honest look at how perioperative staff can better engage with surgeons—without conflict, frustration, or being ignored. From the constant struggle with preference card accuracy to communication failures, we're going to discuss some of the real-life challenges we face in the OR.

Tune in to learn how to approach surgeons more effectively, start conversations that actually lead to change, improve preference card accuracy and reduce waste, and create more efficient, collaborative surgical teams. Don't miss this eye-opening conversation!

#operatingroom #ornurse #surgery #perioperative #perioperativenurse #communication #ScrubTech #SurgicalTechnologist #podcast