Kayla B Hicks1, Kathleen Glaser2, Charleen Scott3, Debra Sparks2, Christopher R McHenry4. 1. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. 2. Department of Nursing, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA. 3. Department of Finance, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA. 4. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA; Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA. Electronic address: cmchenry@metrohealth.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency, causes and estimated cost of first case operating room (OR) delays. METHOD: A quarterly prospective review of the first cases in the OR was completed in 2018. The frequency and causes for delays were determined. Median delay time was calculated and opportunity cost was estimated based on idle labor and overtime for staffing of rooms beyond scheduled end times. RESULTS: Of 3604 first cases performed, 55% were delayed for a median 12 min (IQR 6-24 min). The patient and surgeon were responsible for 50% of the causes. Orthopedic (20%) and General (18%) Surgery accounted for the greatest percentage of total delay. A loss of 631 h resulted in an estimated cost of $311,966 for idle labor and $78,623 for nursing overtime. CONCLUSION: Improving accountability and reducing patient-related delays will have the greatest impact on reducing first case on-time delays.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency, causes and estimated cost of first case operating room (OR) delays. METHOD: A quarterly prospective review of the first cases in the OR was completed in 2018. The frequency and causes for delays were determined. Median delay time was calculated and opportunity cost was estimated based on idle labor and overtime for staffing of rooms beyond scheduled end times. RESULTS: Of 3604 first cases performed, 55% were delayed for a median 12 min (IQR 6-24 min). The patient and surgeon were responsible for 50% of the causes. Orthopedic (20%) and General (18%) Surgery accounted for the greatest percentage of total delay. A loss of 631 h resulted in an estimated cost of $311,966 for idle labor and $78,623 for nursing overtime. CONCLUSION: Improving accountability and reducing patient-related delays will have the greatest impact on reducing first case on-time delays.
Authors: José Manuel Santos-Jaén; María Del Carmen Valls Martínez; Mercedes Palacios-Manzano; Mayra Soledad Grasso Journal: Healthcare (Basel) Date: 2022-06-30