Theatre start and turnover times in a developing country

Abstract

Background: Enormous amounts of resources are spent to keep the operating suites running and approximately one-third of total hospital budget is devoted to it. Delays in start or turnover times (TOT) lead to needless cancellations of procedures. Our study seeks to evaluate the causes of delay and to proffer some solutions to these identified reasons.
Methods: A prospective observational study carried out to collect data of elective procedures using a proforma. The causes of delay in starting surgical procedures and turnover times were assessed and documented.
Results: Three hundred and ninety seven elective procedures were evaluated between 2^nd January and 31^st July, 2018. All scheduled first procedures were delayed and a third (36%) of subsequent procedures was delayed for between 45-60 minutes. One hundred and forty six (27.2%) of procedures delayed were due to prolongation of time for washing of instruments by perioperative nurses after a procedure and cleaning of the theatre suite by attendants before a subsequent case was brought in. Delays due to challenges with central sterile supply department (CSSD) had 16.0% (86). Other causes of delay included delay in porters transporting patients from ward to theatre (15.6%), and collection of anaesthetic drugs from pharmacy/non-availability which accounted for 10.4%
Conclusion: Multiple factors are responsible for delays in turnover times in the operating room. The commonest cause was washing of instruments and cleaning of theatre suites; others were challenges with the central sterile supply department (CSSD and delay in obtaining drugs from the theatre pharmacy. A multidisciplinary approach where all parties involved in surgery target these specific areas would help improve efficiency and reduce turnover times.

Keywords: Theatre, delays, turnover time, developing country