The case for a physician director of the surgical suite

A typical hospital operating room can generate revenue of $1 to 3 million per year. About 30 to 40 percent of the total income of a hospital is produced in the surgical suite. This is a high-cost area in terms of personnel, equipment, and supplies, so strong management is increasingly important in the area. In the past few years, a number of hospitals have found a solution in a physician director for the surgical suite. Although the physician for this position may be of any specialty, the chief of anesthesiology or an anesthesiologist with strong management and communication skills is the best choice. Usually, an anesthesiologist spends the most time in surgery and does not have special allegiance to any surgical specialty. He or she has a vested interest in smooth functioning and success of the surgical suite.