Evaluating Operation Theatre Metrics - A Focus on Optimum Use of Operation Theatre Time

Dr. Sukanya Prince Mary A. J., Dr. Rijesh P.

Abstract: Background and Aim: The operation theatre metrics is an important quality indicator in a hospital. They indicate optimum utilization of operation theatre time ensuring maximum output. This study evaluated these operation theatre metrics ? namely First Case in time, Anaesthesia Time, Case cancelation on the day of surgery, wheel out to Wheel in time and unplanned to Operation Theatre. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was done in 9 operation theatre of tertiary care medical College hospital. The project was done in two parts, where first data was collected regarding the operation theatre metrics (namely First Case in time, Anaesthesia Time, Case cancellation on the day of surgery, wheel out to Wheel in time and unplanned return to Operation Theatre) from 322 patients. The data was analyzed using SPSS software and based on the results corrective measures were implemented. Results: There was 16 cases of first case in delay out of 106 cases of 322 cases (3.77%). The most common cause was ?Surgeon being late? (50%), followed by anaesthetist being late (25%). Delay in Anaesthesia Time was noted in 18 patients (5.59%). Spinal Anaesthesia failure leading to need for repeat Spinal Anaesthesia was the most common cause (22.2%). 19 cases got during the period of study, 6 cases were of Orthopaedic Surgery and most common cause was delay in Insurance approval. This was followed by General Surgery department cases (5 cases). Wheel out to Wheel in delay were noted in 4 cases (1.24%). 4 cases in these 322 patients had unplanned return to operation theatre (1.24%) out of which 3 were from General Surgery and 1 was from Spine Surgery. Corrected measures were recommended in the meeting after root cause analysis which included to avoid undue delay by surgeons and anaesthetist, proper coordination of operation theatre manager and surgeons, coordination of Anaesthesia technician and anaesthetist to maintain proper cold chain of anaesthetic drugs and maintenance of temperature of Operation theatre. Conclusion: The optimum utilization of Operation theatre is an important quality indicator in health care delivery system, which signifies delivering optimum care to patients with optimum utilization of available resources. Many of the indicators can be improved with constant monitoring of these metrices and better coordination of operation theatre personnel.

Keywords: Operation theatre metrics, First case in time, Wheel out to wheel in time, Unplanned return, case cancellation

How to Cite?: Dr. Sukanya Prince Mary A. J., Dr. Rijesh P., "Evaluating Operation Theatre Metrics - A Focus on Optimum Use of Operation Theatre Time", Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 851-855, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251110181749, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251110181749