Framework of Timed Visits by Operating Staff to Pre-surgery Center

摘要

At a medium-size, regional hospital in Connecticut, Hospital X, surgical procedure rooms within the Operating Department (OD) are vital spaces used for outpatient surgeries. The OD strives to deliver quality patient care and to generate a substantial financial revenue through the outpatient surgeries. As the Operating Rooms (ORs) are limited resources, it is in the best interests of both patients and the hospital that the rooms are utilized to the fullest potential. It has been established that "late starts" for procedures are a substantial barrier to the full utilization of these rooms. At the onset of this project, late-start rate is at 60.2%. The goal of this project is to identify potential endogenous sources of late starts through data analysis and direct observation, and implement Lean initiatives that will lead to a significant decrease in frequency of late starts, as well as overall duration of delay. The optimal usage of the ORs will benefit both patients and Hospital X by providing patient care in a timely fashion and increasing the overall financial revenue from outpatient surgeries. The project is a work-in-progress and this paper discusses the observations and analysis as well as the recommendations made to the hospital.