A lot of hospitals are having a difficult time making ends meet. Right now, many hospital systems make their money in the operating room. As a result, it would behoove them to perform as many surgeries as possible. At the same time, it isn’t exactly safe to simply ask surgeons to operate more quickly. Hospitals need to find other ways to save time in the operating room. One of the ways to do that is to speed up OR turnover. What are some of the ways hospital systems can reduce the amount of time that is spent between surgical procedures?
Do Anesthesia Outside of the OR
One of the most important tips that hospitals need to follow is to perform anesthesia outside of the operating room. Of course, it is important to have an anesthesiologist as the procedure unfolds; however, the patient does not necessarily have to be put to sleep in the operating room. If the patient is already asleep when they enter the operating room, the surgeon will not have to wait as long to get started. That way, the patient spends less time in the operating room, opening up opportunities to perform other procedures. It is also important to wake the patient up outside of the operating room instead of waiting for the patient to wake up before wheeling them out the door.
Make Sure All Trays Are Ready To Go
It is also critical for surgeons to have trays that are ready to go. One of the most common reasons why surgical procedures are delayed is that the surgeons do not have the tools they need. Maybe they open up the tray only to realize that a lot of items are missing. Perhaps that tray was actually meant for a different operation. It is critical for hospitals to make sure they train their surgical techs carefully. That way, they can make sure every surgeon has the tools they need. By reducing delays in the operating room, it is easier to get patients in and out as quickly as possible. Hospitals might be able to perform more procedures in a single day.
Take Advantage of Software Programs
There are software programs that can automate a lot of the tasks that administrative staff typically do by hand. For example, if hospitals would like to maximize operating room utilization, it is important to use a software program that can automatically fill cancellations. For example, a procedure might be canceled because the surgeon called out sick. Or, a procedure might be canceled because the patient got sick before the procedure. Hospitals need to be able to automatically fill that room with another operation. There are software programs that can make the process easier. That way, hospitals do not have to worry about valuable operating rooms not being used.
Use Multifunctional ORs
Finally, it is also important for hospitals to find ways to take advantage of multifunctional operating rooms. Surgical suites come in many shapes and sizes. For example, an operating room meant for neurosurgery might not be the same size as an operating room meant for ENT. This can make it harder for hospitals to move procedures from room to room if something comes up. Fortunately, there is a way to solve this issue. If hospitals can create multifunctional operating rooms, they will have an easier time moving operations around. This will make it easier for the administrative team to make sure every procedure is completed that day. Consider taking advantage of multifunctional operating rooms to maximize OR usage rates.
Speed Up OR Turnover
There are lots of ways hospitals can reduce the amount of time it takes to turn over an operating room. Every hospital is different, so it is important for medical professionals to audit their operating rooms from time to time. That way, they can see what is working, what is not, and what they can improve. If hospitals are able to perform more procedures in a single day, they can dramatically increase revenue, generating more resources they can use to provide better patient care. Operating room turnover is one of the most important metrics that every medical system needs to track closely.
