Operational improvement of gynecologic laparoscopic operating room services: an internal review

To reorganize reusable laparoscopic instrumentation to promote instrument accessibility, minimize instrument breakage, eliminate infrequently used instruments on permanent trays, and help control maintenance costs.

The Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Gynecologic Steering Committee evaluated during a 5-month period the storage, use, and maintenance of gynecologic laparoscopic instrument sets used in the surgical suite. Acting on this data, the committee oversaw the following changes. Infrequently used instruments were removed from permanent trays and separately packaged. Two types of gynecologic laparoscopy trays were prepared: one for laparoscopic bilateral tubal ligations and one for both diagnostic and operative laparoscopy. A double-decker compartmentalized tray in which instruments were sterilized and stored replaced the extant single-layer ones in which instruments were stacked on each other. To facilitate instrument identification and function, a surgical manual was compiled with photographs of each instrument and a description of its use.

After implementation of these changes, maintenance and sterilization costs for a 10-month period were compared with those for the previous 10 months. There was a savings of $13,889. The ratio of total costs divided by number of cases performed during the two study periods was also compared. There was a savings of $31 per case.

Savings were achieved by reorganizing this operating room's handling of reusable gynecologic laparoscopy equipment. By eliminating infrequently used instruments from the permanent trays and by using a double decker compartmentalized tray that was used during surgery, sterilization, and storage, both sterilization costs and maintenance costs were reduced.