A piloted ambulatory surgery center in a main operating room

Abstract

Study objectiveTo identify potential operational challenges in opening an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) Study designObservational data of patient throughput and efficiency measures. SettingMain operating suite of a specialty cancer center. PatientsOutpatient ambulatory patients presenting on preselected days with preselected surgeons. InterventionsNone. MeasurementsOperating room utilization, throughput, on-time first case starts and turnaround time. Main resultsConsistency in scheduling and case mix, staff and faculty remaining in the perioperative area, staff cohesiveness and completed preoperative evaluations were found to increase efficiency and patient throughput. ConclusionIt is possible to identify potential challenges in ambulatory surgery center efficiency and patient throughput by simulating case scheduling, preoperative admission and recovery room discharge in a tertiary operating room setting.