Surgical process re-engineering: carpal tunnel decompression--a model

Surgical process re-engineering is a methodology where the entire surgical process is systematically analysed and re-designed. The process starts with mapping of the current process followed by in-depth analysis of the existing process. A new process is drafted with the aim of making the whole procedure more efficient. The new process is then discussed with all the staff involved in the operating room. Following implementation of the process, surgical process re-engineering should ideally be routinely carried out to continuously improve the procedure. We present an example of surgical process re-engineering which we carried out on the procedure of carpal tunnel release. We used carpal tunnel release as a model as it is a very common operation, with predictable intra-operative findings, and the patient is likely to benefit directly from procedure time reduction. A preliminary mapping of three procedures was done followed by a detailed timed mapping of five routine carpal tunnel decompression procedures. The mapped process was analysed in detail and a number of changes were made in the process. After implementing the new process, a further five procedures were mapped and timed again. In comparison to the original process, we achieved a reduction of 20% in the mean procedure time and a reduction of 42% in the number of steps from 66 to 37.