Effect of music tempo on operating room preparation time

Most operating rooms around the world play music, both during the surgeries and in between cases. We investigated whether music tempo (fast or slow) can affect the operating room preparation time in between surgeries (turnover time) in an ambulatory outpatient surgical centre setting. We compiled two playlists, one with fast upbeat tempo and the other with slow relaxing tempo. Each of the playlists was played throughout the workday in the operating room for one week with the same surgeon and nursing staff. The turnover times for each case were analysed. Inclusion criteria were standard cataract extraction with intraocular lens implant surgery. Exclusion criteria were any external reasons causing delays in the turnover time (such as anaesthesia team break time, computer system down, etc.). The turnover time from 32 cases in the slow group and 26 cases in the fast group were compared with Student's t test. The turnover time was significantly faster in the fast group versus the slow group (17.0 ± 0.60 vs. 20.1 ± 0.96, p < 0.03). Our study demonstrated that fast music tempo in the operating room can significantly reduce turnover time. This improved efficiency could potentially lead to significant cost savings in the healthcare sector.