Maria Gabriela Cruz

Oversee elective joint replacement program that averages 390 hip, knee, and shoulder procedures. Serve as a liaison for patients, staff and surgeons. Provide presurgical education for the elective joint patient. Educate staff on updates and changes of practice through updated clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based practice. Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team at monthly key-stakeholder meetings to create process improvement plans. Present quarterly data at the Governance meetings to executive leadership, key stakeholders, and physicians. Collaborate with regional navigators for standardization.

One of the collaborating authors for the following ALNs: Enhanced Recovery Pathway, Pain CNOR Study Guide, and Hand and Wrist CNOR Study Guide. Created and contributed a breathing and imagery practice for the joint specific on-demand presurgical videos. Prepare and participate in Joint Commission recertification's of the hip, knee, and shoulder programs.

Performed circulating RN duties and scrub duties in the Cardiac, General, Ambulatory, and Joint OR’s to provide patient safety throughout the perioperative process. Filled in as Charge Nurse for Ambulatory and Cardiac OR’s. Facilitated updates of preference cards and instrumentation to create better workflow during surgical procedures.