A Nurse-Driven Plan to Diminish First-Case Operating Room Delays

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of a nurse-driven plan to describe factors associated with delays in the 1st case on time start within the operating room.

A posttest-only quasi-experiment was conducted to examine the effect of designating specific time periods for steps in the preoperative process on 1st case operating delays. Rationale for delays was also examined. Using an audit form, data on target time, time met, delay in minutes, and reasons for delay were collected by an observer.

Thirty-one percent (n = 31) of patient/participants (N = 99) were late to the operating room. Controllable factors, such as caregivers being late, and uncontrollable factors, such as patients' needing to use the restroom just prior to surgery, were identified.

Results of this study support the identification and examination of steps in the preoperative process to prevent delays by adjusting activities as needed. Identifying controllable and uncontrollable factors can help in preparing to prevent delays.