The Operating Room management for emergency Surgical Activity (ORSA) study: a WSES international survey

Area of Science:

• Emergency Surgery
• Surgical Management
• Healthcare Operations

Background:

• Emergency and trauma surgery have high morbidity and mortality, partly due to OR delays.
• Limited research exists on operating room (OR) prioritization and resource allocation for emergency surgery.
• The Operating Room management for emergency Surgical Activity (ORSA) study assessed global OR management practices among acute care surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current management and resource allocation for emergency surgical activity in operating rooms worldwide.
• To identify challenges and areas for improvement in prioritizing and scheduling emergency surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

• An international web-based survey was conducted among expert acute care surgeons.
• The survey consisted of 23 multiple-choice and open-ended questions.
• Data were collected anonymously and voluntarily over a 3-month period.

Main Results:

• 147 surgeons participated (58.8% response rate), primarily from Europe.
• Most hospitals (81%) have dedicated emergency ORs, but 13.6% do not.
• 68% of surgeons use elective ORs for daytime emergency procedures, and 70% schedule emergencies by phone.

Conclusions:

• A lack of dedicated emergency ORs is common internationally, impacting elective surgery scheduling.
• There's a critical need for a universal, validated triage and scheduling system for emergency surgery.
• The Timing in Acute Care Surgery (TACS) tool requires prospective validation; a multidisciplinary approach to logistics is essential for patient safety and resource optimization.