Data Driven Insights to Operating Room Inefficiencies: What’s next? Part 2

Abstract

We previously discussed the methodologies for improving operating room efficiencies including lean and six sigma methods, the use of scheduling algorithms, and even direct observations. Additionally, we demonstrated the effects of pre-operative factors on efficiency in the operating room and noted that inefficiencies in the operating room are multi-factorial. In the second part of this paper, we discuss intra- and post-operative opportunities for improvement. We recognize that inefficiencies within the intra- and post-operative periods are often similar between institutions (e.g., environmental services, surgery technicians, and nurses responsible for turning over the OR), while the specific causes of inefficiency are unique to each individual institution or department. Given the variability and burden that exists in an efficiency program, there is a substantial opportunity for the development of technologies capable of automating the measuring and analysis of actionable data to transform OR efficiencies.