Ophthalmic theatre time utilization in a Nigerian teaching hospital

An audit of the utilization of the ophthalmic theatre time of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu was conducted in order to identify the main factors hindering maximum utilization of the theatre, with a view to improving efficiency and effectiveness of the operating theatre team.

Data was collected prospectively over a period of 3 months (16th May - 22nd August 2005). A total of 28 elective operation lists consisting of 47 eye surgeries was surveyed. Theatre time utilization was studied with respect to commencement and end of cases, turnover interval, start delay interval and main reasons for delays.

A total of 57 hrs 5 mins (46.8% of total theatre time used) was spent on doing the actual surgeries and the turnover activities between cases. The total amount of time lost before the commencement of the lists was 64 hrs 50 mins (53.2% of total theatre time surveyed). Late arrival of operating theatre team personnel was noted to be the main single contributory cause of start delays, accounting for 32 hrs 35 mins of lost time.

The ophthalmic theatre time at our centre is grossly underutilized and measures aimed at reducing start delays and the logistic problems would help ensure optimal utilization of time and other resources.