Frequently Asked Questions

Consulting Information

Surgical Services Management (OR Staffing and Efficiency, Anesthesia Subsidies, Utilization)

I am interested in learning about operating room management. What key papers would you recommend that I read?
What management reports do you recommend for operating rooms?
Can OR efficiency methods be applied to a surgical facility with few data, or should data on cases and processes be collected first?
A surgical facility is a public hospital where profit is not a motive and the physicians are all salaried professionals. Can OR efficiency methods be applied?
We are implementing "block" OR allocation - any pointers?
What are three approaches to the allocation of operating room time?
What is the average OR utilization (and cases per OR per day) in the United States?
What is a good OR utilization value for a surgical suite? What's too low or high?
What example shows the difference between allocating OR time based on OR efficiency versus OR utilization?
We allocate OR time to individual surgeons. Can we still use the methods, since they plan OR time allocation to services?
How is OR staffing determined?
What is an appropriate subsidy for and productivity of an anesthesiology department?
Why does the 2nd shift (afternoon staffing) analysis not consider variation in workload by day of the week?
Where can I get a list of guidelines for scheduling cases, moving cases, etc.?
For operations researchers planning to simulate a surgical suite, what hints can you recommend?
How should a surgeon's list of elective cases in the same OR on the same day be sequenced?
My facility may retain a consultant to assist in the implementation of scientific methods of OR management. What can I learn from talking to people at other facilities which have already done this?
Our OR information system records the date at which the case was scheduled. What experience do you have in using this information for OR allocation and case scheduling?
When a surgical case is performed by more than one surgeon, how should credit be divided among surgeons for purposes of calculating their operating room utilizations?
How do I apply quadratic programming to analyze OR financial data?
How can I calculate the operating room cost from cancelled cases at my facility?
How can we determine the appropriate number of operating rooms for our cases?
What data are available on the role of anesthesiologists in OR management?
Why is the OR workload not routinely predicted or monitored on a short-term basis?
After operating room allocations and case scheduling have been changed, what endpoint can be monitored to quantify success?
Should additional OR staffing be planned on nights and weekends in order to reduce backup of patients in the emergency department?
Should we sequence urgent cases by category?
How can an intensive care unit decide how many beds are available that day for elective surgery?

Group Management Strategies (Reducing Costs, Increasing Productivity)

PACU Staffing (Delays)

Economics and Mathematics of Decreasing Anesthesia, Turnover, or Surgical Times

Miscellaneous Topics