Presentation
Variability in Operating Room Turnover
DescriptionThis study aimed to observe operating room turnover time and first case of the day setup time (SUT) to learn about the high degree of variability between cases, providers, and across specialties. Operating room (OR) turnover time (TOT) includes the time it takes to set up the OR for a new case and prepare the OR team from the conclusion of one surgery to the start of the next. It is a crucial metric used in healthcare to determine healthcare costs, efficiency of staff, and patient satisfaction. Total turnover time (TOT) was defined as wheels out of the previous patient from the OR, to wheels in of the current patient in the same OR. First case of the day setup time (SUT) was recorded when preparation started, to wheels in of the first patient of the day to the OR. The HTA shows high variability in the order tasks are performed across CRNAs and anesthesia residents as seen by the multitude of ‘alternative routes’. The overall combined turnover time between anesthesia residents and CRNAs was a mean of 63.75 minutes, and a median of 45.5 minutes (figure 3). The overall combined setup for first case of the day time between anesthesia residents and CRNAs was a mean of 71 minutes, and a median of 70.5 minutes (figure 3). Mean and median resident TOT was greater than both the mean and median CRNA TOT with greater variability including an outlier of 198 minutes (figure 4). the mean and median TOTs for neurosurgery were higher than both the mean and median TOTs for orthopedic surgery. Opposingly, the mean and median SUTs were greater in orthopedic surgery compared to neurosurgery. Common variations between both groups include changes in workflow due to grand rounds and case specific changes requiring more time to prepare supplies. Training residents or medical students caused delays in the resident group. The mean TOT was found to be 63.75 minutes across both surgical specialties and both professions. This number is over double the 30-minute TOT time that many aim to attain. Based on our observations and analysis, achieving a 30-minute TOT is not feasible due to the high variability of several factors. Attempting to standardize or push for a consistent TOT of 30-minutes or less focusing on anesthesia could cause harm to patients and staff. In the future, observations can be collected across multiple surgical specialties, include a larger sample size, and across multiple hospitals.
Event Type
Discussion Panel
Oral Presentations
TimeWednesday, March 2710:30am - 10:45am CDT
LocationSalon A-1
Hospital Environments