A Dedicated Orthopaedic Trauma Room Improves Efficiency While Remaining Financially Net Positive

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic surgery
• Health services research
• Healthcare management

Background:

• Operating room efficiency is critical for hospital finances and patient care.
• Dedicated orthopaedic trauma rooms (DOTRs) have been proposed to optimize workflow for trauma cases.
• The financial implications and efficiency gains of DOTR implementation require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of implementing a dedicated orthopaedic trauma room (DOTR) on operating room efficiency.
• To assess the financial consequences of DOTR implementation, including changes in costs and profitability.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cost-analysis was conducted at a single academic-affiliated community hospital.
• Data from 1960 orthopaedic trauma procedures over four years (2016-2019) were analyzed, comparing two years pre-DOTR to two years post-DOTR.
• Surgical duration, operating hours, after-hours costs, and opportunity costs of displaced elective surgeries were primary and secondary outcome measures.

Main Results:

• Total operative time decreased by a mean of 33.4% post-DOTR implementation.
• Daytime operating hours increased by 21%, while after-hours usage decreased by 37.8%.
• Overtime staffing costs were reduced by $24,976, with a net profit increase of $2476 despite a $22,500 rise in opportunity costs.

Conclusions:

• Dedicated orthopaedic trauma rooms enhance operating room efficiency and demonstrate cost-effectiveness.
• DOTRs can mitigate financial concerns related to potential losses from elective surgeries.
• Widespread adoption of DOTRs can improve patient care and maintain financial favorability for healthcare institutions.