Study: Improving preop throughput

Editor's Note

Healthcare managers’ top priority needs to focus on work environment design to improve preoperative throughput and OR first-case on time starts, this study finds.

Two main barriers were identified−lack of equipment and availability of equipment in the preoperative area. Four vital sign monitors with wheels were purchased, as were carts with drawers for each RN.

In addition, the decision was made to place supplies in each of the 30 patient rooms and outside in the closets, which greatly improved efficiency for the RNs who no longer had to make multiple trips to the supply room and front desk.

Preoperative throughput is an important piece in achieving the perioperative goal for first case on time starts. An inefficient preoperative (preop) department can delay surgery starts and impact the patient flow throughout the day. Research is abundant in applying lean six sigma principles in the operating room, however there are minimal studies that specifically apply these tools in the preop. The perioperative process includes the preop, operating room, and the postoperative departments. All areas have to run like a well-oiled machine to improve performance and achieve positive outcomes.