Surgical procedures account for roughly 60% to 70% of hospital revenues, and the anesthesiology department plays a big role in operating room (OR) efficiency. That’s why hospitals are targeting their anesthesiology departments in their efforts to improve OR processes and prevent procedure cancellations and delays. An article appearing in the December 2012 issue of Healthleaders Magazine examined some of the ways anesthesiology departments can help hospitals improve OR processes. Preoperative clinic visits 
A study conducted by Tulane University Medical Center in 2009 found that 6.7% of scheduled surgical procedures at the facility were cancelled, resulting in $1 million in lost revenue. The researchers found that procedures were far less likely to be cancelled if the patient made a preoperative visit with the anesthesiologist. To prevent further cancellations, the facility made preoperative clinic visits mandatory and has already begun to see improvements. Scheduling Physicians and anesthesiologists at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, discovered that a poor scheduling process resulted in surgeons overbooking operating rooms and putting a strain on the limited number of anesthesiologists available. The facility switched to a block schedule process where it reserved specific time of each surgeon and procedure, making better use of hospital resources and personnel. One hospital executive said anesthesiologists play a key role in the scheduling process, and anesthesiologists are assigned to each operating room so there is always one available. Pain management Some facilities are utilizing anesthesiologists to help manage postoperative pain. Anesthesiologists can administer peripheral nerve blocks that allow patients to move more quickly into physical therapy and rely less on narcotics and opioids. Peripheral nerve blocks also have led to greater patient satisfaction and fewer readmissions following surgeries. As anesthesiologists continue to be a significant cog in the surgical machine, Barton Associates is positioned to support hospitals and healthcare systems with their staffing needs with a talented pool of locum tenens anesthesiologists. Contact us today!
A study conducted by Tulane University Medical Center in 2009 found that 6.7% of scheduled surgical procedures at the facility were cancelled, resulting in $1 million in lost revenue. The researchers found that procedures were far less likely to be cancelled if the patient made a preoperative visit with the anesthesiologist. To prevent further cancellations, the facility made preoperative clinic visits mandatory and has already begun to see improvements. Scheduling Physicians and anesthesiologists at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, discovered that a poor scheduling process resulted in surgeons overbooking operating rooms and putting a strain on the limited number of anesthesiologists available. The facility switched to a block schedule process where it reserved specific time of each surgeon and procedure, making better use of hospital resources and personnel. One hospital executive said anesthesiologists play a key role in the scheduling process, and anesthesiologists are assigned to each operating room so there is always one available. Pain management Some facilities are utilizing anesthesiologists to help manage postoperative pain. Anesthesiologists can administer peripheral nerve blocks that allow patients to move more quickly into physical therapy and rely less on narcotics and opioids. Peripheral nerve blocks also have led to greater patient satisfaction and fewer readmissions following surgeries. As anesthesiologists continue to be a significant cog in the surgical machine, Barton Associates is positioned to support hospitals and healthcare systems with their staffing needs with a talented pool of locum tenens anesthesiologists. Contact us today!
