Fundamentals of operating room allocation and case scheduling to minimize the inefficiency of use of the time

Abstract

When operating room (OR) allocated times are calculated, reports ideally are accompanied with attachment or link to an article describing the specific optimization method used. In addition, many stakeholders (e.g., managers and committee members) also need a background source. Our review supplies in one downloadable publication such an article. Our review covers the fundamental knowledge sufficient to read the thousands of articles on OR staffing and case scheduling, including references describing the specific method implemented, and to understand relevant studies of implementation (e.g., behavioral operations and managerial epidemiology). Inappropriate OR allocation and case scheduling can be mitigated by ensuring that when there is a case waiting to start, to be done today, the number of ORs in use for each such service is at least the number that maximizes the efficiency of use of OR time. Implementation means performing mathematical calculations using hospital data or anesthesia billing information. Physician leadership ensures that the statistical methods used are appropriate and applied for case scheduling. When done properly, there are opportunities to reduce turnover times and late first case of the day starts targeted toward reducing over-utilized time. These actions facilitate growth in surgical practices, increase OR productivity, and help prevent surgical teams from working late because of poor staffing and staff scheduling.