A Novel Approach for Improving Operating Room Utilization and Efficiency

5^th International Conference on Digital Health

May 25, 2023 | Webinar

Dina Orkin

Sheba Medical Center, Israel

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Health Med Informat

Abstract :

Statement of the problem: Health industries worldwide require concurrent efforts to increase efficiency. In the surgery environment, OR utilization is increasingly important to hospitals, and a widely used metric to inform operational achievement. The purpose of this project is based on a novel approach for maximizing OR utilization, by focusing, among others, on the next patient in line as opposed to concentrating on current patient in surgery. This approach stems from the understanding that the present case is already given, i.e., at this stage there is little room to influence time frames and consequently to optimize workflow. Hence, a pragmatic approach should concentrate attention on what can be influenced, meaning next case awaiting to enter OR. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The surgery department at Sheba Medical Center includes 39 ORs across 5 sites, and performs approximately 200 operations daily. Collaborating with Q-nomy Inc., a leading software vendor, parties developed an innovative practical OR scheduling and patient-flow management solution which includes, among other, a dashboard in-which OR management and relevant staff could follow next patient in-line status, room status & equipment readiness for the next case (i.e., surgical sets and kits plus capital equipment) and deliver relevant verification and signatures. In addition, each responsible body in the process (e.g., sterile department) was provided with designated dashboard as-per its needs, cleaners receive automatic messages via mobile informing room vacant and pending; and so forth tailored features. Findings: This novel solution, allowed, among other KPIs, higher OR utilization of rooms and resources, fewer surgeries postponed at the last minute and less time wasted between operations. Conclusion & Significance: the solution and tailored dashboards assist OR management and staff in making decisions on real-time reassignment and allocation of rooms and resources. This enables a higher level of resource utilization, especially where resources are limited.

Biography :

Dr. Dina Orkin is the Head of Sheba Medical Center’s Surgical Division which includes 39 operating rooms that execute 200 daily surgeries and procedures, the hospital’s 3D Lab and its Sterile Department. Dr. Orkin earned a specialty in Anesthesiology and for many years served in different roles including the Director of Pediatric Anesthesia unit in Shaarei Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, Head of Recovery Room Unit at Kaplan Medical Center and more. In addition to her clinical roles, Dr. Orkin takes an active part in preparing the next generation of Anesthesiologists, as an Examiner at the Israeli Board of Anesthesiology, and as counsellor, lecturer and tutor at different internship courses. She has taking this vast experience to improve the surgical outcomes and quality of life of hundreds of patients. Dr. Orkin is selected year after year as one of the best Anesthesiologists in Israel, as per Forbes magazine.