Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
Winter 12-2025
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Daisy Mullassery
Abstract
Prolonged operating room (OR) turnover times (TOTs) contribute to surgical delays, decreased case volume, and inefficiencies that negatively affect patient care and hospital operations. Lack of coordination in turnover processes and communication among staff are common contributors to extended TOTs. The purpose of this project was to reduce turnover times by implementing a standardized workflow carried out by efficiency teams composed of OR float staff. This project took place in the surgical department of a hospital in Sugar Land, Texas, using a single group pretest-posttest design. Baseline data was collected for 12-weeks prior to implementation and compared to 12-weeks of post-intervention data. Turnover times, consisting of the time one patient left the room to the time the following patient entered the room, were obtained from electronic medical record time logs. The intervention, or efficiency teams, consisted of a registered nurse and surgical technologist who were assigned to approximately two to three ORs to assist with room turnover and setup. Following implementation, the mean turnover time decreased from 41.4 ± 14.1 to 37.7 ± 11.6 minutes. Median turnover time improved from 39.5 to 37.5 minutes. Variability in turnovers also decreased, with the standard deviation being reduced by 2.4 minutes, thus indicating a more consistent turnover process. Post-intervention data showed fewer extremes in TOTs and more stable weekly averages. Efficiency teams improved consistency and reduced overall turnover times. Future quality improvement initiatives would benefit from focusing on specialty-specific turnovers, such as neurology and total joint procedures, to further enhance efficiency.
Keywords
Operating Room, Turnover, Turnover Times, Standardized, Reducing
Recommended Citation
Trinity H. Darnell, "Reducing Operating Room Turnover Times Through Standardized Workflow" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 178.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/178