operating room

Use of simulation to assess a statistically driven surgical scheduling system

Use of simulation to assess a statistically driven surgical scheduling system

To maximize operating room (OR) utilization, better estimates of case duration lengths are needed. We used computerized simulation to determine whether scheduling OR cases using a statistically driven system that incorporates patient and surgery-specific factors in the process of case duration prediction improves OR throughput and utilization. We modeled surgical and anesthetic length of vascular surgical procedures as a function of patient and operative characteristics using a multivariate linear regression approach (Predictive Modeling System [PMS]). Mean historical operative time per surgeon (HMS) and mean anesthetic time were also calculated for each procedure type. A computerized simulation of scheduling in a single OR performing vascular operations was then created using either the PMS or the HMS. Access Full Article.