DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i05.065

Pages: 1764-1769

The aims and objectives of our study are to analyse resources available in operation theatre (OT), improve teamwork dynamics and maximize the use of surgical capacity with ultimate goal to reduce the pre-operative stay in hospital and decreases the burden on hospital and human resources.Present prospective study was piloted at measurement of two OTs start-time delays during 100 working days and was completed over four months. The variable chosen was the delay in starting up of first case from the benchmark time .The data was collected, compiled and analysed. In our set up in surgery OT analysis of starting time of 100 cases it was found that 33% were within the benchmark time of 9.20 AM, rest 67% were late. The most common reason for the delay was Surgeon related factors (32%), and second most common reason being the patient factors (18%), Anaesthetist factors (7%) also contributed to the delays. While hospital administrative reasons contributed 10%.While in orthopaedics operation theatre analysis of 100 cases it was found that 56% case began on time and only 44% cases were delayed, Hospital related (15 %) reasons were the most important reason or the delays in the OT. Surgeon related (8%) and anaesthetic related (7 %) reasons contributed to the time delays. Patient related reasons were 14%.Study established that morning tardiness should be reduced and there is much scope in improvement in surgeons‘ related delay in starting up first case in surgery OT.Obviously, some delays are unavoidable. But if those problems that can be easily fixed are attended to, valuable time can be saved, which will ultimately keep the surgeries on schedule throughout the day. Opportunities to improve theatre efficiency were identified.