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Impact of revised management policies on the efficiency of gynecologic operating room processes in a tertiary training hospital

Glaiza S. de Guzman, MD and Cecilia L. Llave, MD, FPOGS, FSGOP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines-Manila

Background: A retrospective observational time motion study of elective gynecologic surgeries performed from January 2015 to December 2016 was conducted at the Operating Room Complex of a tertiary training hospital. There was a change from three operating suites with standard last stitch time in 2015 to only two with no cutoff times in 2016. This was due to the renovation of the Operating Room Complex.

Objective: To determine the factors and problems affecting operating room processes

Materials and Methods: Different time motion parameters such as induction time, length of induction, cutting time, last stitch time, total operation time, turnover time, and number of cases performed were collected from the nurses’ documentation records. Average values from two different time periods were compared and analyzed.

Results: Results showed no improvement with the revised policies implemented in 2016. With only two rooms, surgeons were able to cope with the number of patients by extending operating hours later through the day. Recurring problems on manpower and lack of resources were noted.

Conclusion: There is a need to identify hindrance to efficient operating room utilization with the goal to decrease patient queue, improve patient as well as staff satisfaction, and increase hospital revenue. Multi-disciplinary changes in practices, processes, and attitudes are timely for improvements in operating room utilization and consequently better patient centric outcomes.

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