Incision

Preference cards have long been an operational tool. Increasingly, they're also being recognized as a valuable source of insight for improving consistency across surgical services.

A recent study published in JAMA Surgery explored how historical utilization data can be used to optimize preference cards based on what teams actually use during procedures. The findings demonstrate how data-informed preference card management can reduce unnecessary supplies while maintaining surgical readiness.

As surgical techniques evolve, new technologies are introduced, and teams continuously refine their workflows, preference cards naturally need to evolve alongside them. Keeping them current helps create greater consistency, supports smoother workflows, and reduces unnecessary waste, while respecting surgeon autonomy and clinical judgment.

At Incision, we believe this represents an important opportunity for perioperative teams. It's one of the reasons we're developing a new solution to help hospitals identify opportunities for supply standardization, share best practices, and reduce unnecessary supply costs, while keeping perioperative teams and clinical decision-making at the center.

We're curious to hear from perioperative leaders:
How does your organization keep preference cards up to date, and what has been the biggest challenge in maintaining them?

Read the full research here: https://hubs.li/Q04n_T0c0

A recent Harvard Business Review article highlighted three characteristics of high-performing OR teams. The findings reinforced what perioperative professionals have long understood: exceptional performance depends on more than individual expertise. It depends on how teams work together.

The research found that team familiarity, thoughtful rotation of staff, and intentional team composition all influence performance. When these factors are intentionally designed rather than left to chance, performance tends to improve.

For perioperative leaders, the findings highlight the importance of continuity without creating silos. Team familiarity can improve performance, but long-term success also depends on ensuring knowledge and experience are shared across the broader perioperative team.

In the OR, outcomes depend on people working together seamlessly in moments that matter most. Teams that invest in preparation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration create the conditions for safer care, better coordination, and greater resilience.

Technology has an important role to play. But its greatest value comes when it strengthens the human connections that make high-performing teams possible.

What do you think is the biggest challenge to building and sustaining high-performing perioperative teams today?

Read the full article here: https://hubs.li/Q04kPv010

Today's SPD teams are more diverse than ever in terms of experience, training backgrounds, and certification pathways.

New technicians enter the field with varying levels of knowledge and experience. Seasoned professionals bring valuable expertise shaped by years of practice. Meanwhile, standards continue to evolve, technologies become more complex, and accreditation expectations grow.

The challenge for SPD leaders is not simply training individuals. It's creating consistency, competency, and confidence across the entire department.
In our latest blog, Karyn Wippler, Customer Success Manager at Incision, shares how hospitals are using MySPD to address this challenge.

"We see customers using MySPD in three main ways: orientation, continuous education, and standardization."

What makes these three areas so powerful is how interconnected they are. Strong orientation builds confidence from day one. Continuous education helps teams stay aligned as best practices evolve. Standardization and competency management help ensure quality, consistency, and audit readiness across the department.

The impact of this approach can be significant. At OhioHealth, MySPD helped strengthen staff knowledge and confidence across 13 SPD sites, including among team members with more than three years of experience.

Read the full blog to learn how SPD leaders are using orientation, continuous education, and competency management to build more consistent, confident, and resilient teams: https://hubs.li/Q04jJ9md0