Increasing OR efficiency with a specialty services manual

The successful operation of a modern ophthalmology OR is dependent on a knowledgeable, well-educated nursing staff. To improve communication and teamwork between ophthalmology surgeons and nursing staff members at the Louisiana State University Medical Center University Hospital, Shreveport, we developed an OR manual. We reduced our level of frustration by producing a manual that facilitates the day-to-day operation of the surgical services department. The manual provides consistent information for our ophthalmic surgical procedures; functions as a reference source; and promotes an efficient, productive OR. Although we designed this manual for the ophthalmology surgical service at our medical center, its structure can be applied to other surgical specialties.