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Updated: May 16, 2026
04:47
Systematic Bronchoscopy: the Four Landmarks Approach
Published on: June 23, 2023
Delays and efficiency in the bronchoscopy suite: perception meets reality
Leanne Strack1, Emily Brawner, Aaron Bruns
1*Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine †Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Journal of Bronchology & Interventional Pulmonology
|November 22, 2012
Summary
Bronchoscopy suite delays are common, affecting 71-80% of procedures. Preprocedure activities are the primary cause, highlighting an opportunity to improve efficiency and patient care in the bronchoscopy unit.
Area of Science:
- Medical quality improvement
- Pulmonology procedures
Background:
- Procedural delays in the bronchoscopy suite can negatively impact operational efficiency and patient care.
- Limited data exist on the causes and prevention of these delays in bronchoscopy units.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency and causes of delays in the bronchoscopy suite.
- To identify areas for improvement in the bronchoscopy procedure workflow.
Main Methods:
- A quality assessment project involving surveys of the bronchoscopy team.
- Prospective observation of 31 bronchoscopy procedures.
- Retrospective review of 234 past bronchoscopy procedure records.
Main Results:
- Delays (≥15 minutes past scheduled start) occurred in 80% of prospectively observed procedures and 71% of retrospectively reviewed procedures.
- The preprocedure period accounted for the majority of patient time in the bronchoscopy suite.
- Preprocedure activities were identified as a key area contributing to delays.
Conclusions:
- Delays are frequent in the bronchoscopy suite, significantly impacting workflow.
- Optimizing preprocedure activities presents a significant opportunity to reduce delays.
- Improving efficiency in the bronchoscopy suite can enhance operational performance and patient care.
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