JULY
2002
Volume 26 •
No. 7
Efforts to boost OR efficiency are starting to pay off
Steps under way to improve OR efficiency
Profile: Andrew Newman (scuba diver/ pulmonologist)
Completion of cancer center expected in late fall 2003
Device tested at Stanford may improve breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
The
steps below are under way to improve OR efficiency:
The OR schedule
is being revised periodically to more effectively meet physicians' changing
needs for OR scheduling. In the past, the schedule has remained more or
less static.
A revised "bumping policy" has been implemented that clarifies which cases
will be rescheduled when an unscheduled case comes in. The new policy
was designed to be more fair and equitable.
Saturday use of the ORs is now limited to emergency surgeries only. This
has significantly reduced spending on overtime and provides an incentive
for the ORs to be used more efficiently during the week.
OR Services is working closely with the surgery admission unit to ensure
that paperwork for scheduled surgeries is completed the day before the
operation. Patients will not be admitted for surgery if their paperwork
isn't complete.
Because regional blocks require up to 45 minutes to take effect, efforts
are being made to have this type of anesthesia administered in the pre-operative
area rather than the OR.
Efforts are under way to increase collaboration among the three anesthesia
groups serving Stanford Hospital, such that one group may cover cases
for another group to eliminate delays. For example, certain vascular and
cardiac cases are now scheduled in blocks that can be served by either
the AA or Stanford Anesthesia Group.
Cases are being moved from the main OR to the ambulatory surgery center
when appropriate. This frees up the ORs for the more complex, lengthy
operations that can only be done in the ORs.
In December, OR Services will implement a computerized OR management system
made by Medical Systems Management. The system will automate key OR functions
including scheduling, instrument and equipment tracking, perioperative
charting, and charge-cost allocation. The system is expected to increase
efficiency and effectiveness by bringing greater sophistication to various
processes. It will also track key measures of OR usage and efficiency.
