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Operating Room Efficiency: Benefits of an Orthopaedic Traumatologist at a Level II Trauma Center
Peter L Althausen1, Justin R Kauk, Steven Shannon
1From the *Reno Orthopaedic Clinic, Reno, NV; †University of Nevada, School of Medicine, Reno, NV; and ‡University of Nevada, School of Community Health Sciences, Reno, NV.
Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
|November 22, 2016
Summary
Orthopaedic traumatologists significantly reduce operating room time and costs compared to general orthopaedic surgeons (GOSs). This study highlights the efficiency and economic benefits of specialized trauma care in community hospitals.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Health Services Research
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Fellowship-trained orthopaedic traumatologists are expected to offer superior outcomes and resource utilization.
- This study investigates whether specialized trauma care leads to economic advantages over general orthopaedic surgeons (GOSs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare operating room utilization and financial data between orthopaedic traumatologists and GOSs at a Level II trauma center.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients undergoing fracture fixation surgery between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011.
- Comparison of operative times, surgical supply costs, implant costs, and labor expenses between traumatologists (n=1199) and GOSs (n=877).
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare outcomes between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Traumatologists demonstrated significantly shorter procedure times (55.6 vs. 75.8 minutes, P < 0.0001) compared to GOSs.
- Traumatologists were more efficient in 16 of 18 common procedures.
- The traumatologist group incurred significantly lower surgical labor costs ($381.4 vs. $484.8, P < 0.0001) and supply/implant costs ($2567 vs. $3003, P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- Fracture care by orthopaedic traumatologists in a community trauma system improves hospital resource utilization compared to GOSs.
- Specialized trauma care leads to reduced operative times, labor expenses, and supply costs, indicating better control over care delivery.
- Traumatologists can guide recommendations for enhancing operating room efficiency in community-based orthopaedic trauma care models.
