Improving Operating Room Access and Utilization at an Academic Ophthalmology Department.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

A quality improvement project was conducted to improve operating room (OR) access and utilization for elective ophthalmic cases at a university-affiliated eye center.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This prospective, interventional case series assessed OR utilization across three ORs during a baseline 3-month period. Case scheduling protocols were reviewed, and key drivers of inefficiency were identified. Targeted interventions were implemented to address these barriers.

RESULTS

During the baseline period, a mean of 290 surgeries were performed monthly. Scheduling delays were attributed to the lack of standardized order forms for special preoperative/operative needs, untimely completion of special preoperative tests, poor communication regarding open OR times, and inadequate enforcement of an established 14-day block time release. Following interventions, OR utilization increased by 20% and average monthly case volume rose to 350, adding approximately 60 surgeries per month. These improvements were accompanied by a more than twofold increase in use of the standardized EPIC surgical order with laterality (from 39 to 97 cases per month), demonstrating measurable adoption of workflow changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeted, multidisciplinary interventions improved OR utilization by 20%. Quality improvement projects enhance patient access and optimize the use of institutional resources.