Operating Room Performance Optimization Metrics: a Systematic Review

Journal of Medical Systems, vol. 47, pp. 19

Abstract

Literature proposes numerous initiatives for optimization of the Operating Room (OR). Despite multiple suggested strategies for the optimization of workflow on the OR, its patients and (medical) staff, no uniform description of 'optimization' has been adopted. This makes it difficult to evaluate the proposed optimization strategies. In particular, the metrics used to quantify OR performance are diverse so that assessing the impact of suggested approaches is complex or even impossible. To secure a higher implementation success rate of optimisation strategies in practice we believe OR optimisation and its quantification should be further investigated. We aim to provide an inventory of the metrics and methods used to optimise the OR by the means of a structured literature study. We observe that several aspects of OR performance are unaddressed in literature, and no studies account for possible interactions between metrics of quality and efficiency. We conclude that a systems approach is needed to align metrics across different elements of OR performance, and that the wellbeing of healthcare professionals is underrepresented in current optimisation approaches.

Authors 6

1. Anne M Schouten corresponding

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Biomedical Engineering Department, Technical University of Delft, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD, Delft, the Netherlands. A.M.Schouten@tudelft.nl

   Biomedical Engineering Department, Technical University of Delft, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD, Delft, the Netherlands

2. Steven M. Flipse

   Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Science Education and Communication Department, Technical University of Delft, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD, Delft, the Netherlands

3. Kim E. van Nieuwenhuizen Aachen Gynecology Department

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Gynecology Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands

4. Frank Willem Jansen Aachen Gynecology Department

   Leiden University Medical Center · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Biomedical Engineering Department, Technical University of Delft, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD, Delft, the Netherlands

   Gynecology Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands

5. Anne Catherine van der Eijk Aachen Operation Room Centre

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Operation Room Centre, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands

6. John J. van den Dobbelsteen Aachen Gynecology Department

   Leiden University Medical Center · Delft University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Biomedical Engineering Department, Technical University of Delft, Mekelweg 5, 2628 CD, Delft, the Netherlands

   Gynecology Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands