How is time used within the orthopaedic trauma theatre?

Creating Novel Standards for Datapoints on an Elective Orthopaedic Theatre List Document

Introduction

Orthopaedic theatre lists are an important tool which must convey essential information to all staff to run an effective and safe theatre list. However, there are no set standards or guidelines on the components of an Orthopaedic theatre list. The objective of this study is to formulate guidelines for elective Orthopaedic theatre lists which improve efficiency and reduce errors.

Materials and Methods

We looked at 326 elective Orthopaedic theatre lists from October to November 2018. Various factors such as: theatre and patient demographics, surgical team, type of anaesthesia, Surgery, acronyms and finally extra information such as allergies. Additionally, a survey was distributed to a variety of theatre staff to understand their requirements from a theatre list. Thereafter, we created a proforma for waiting list coordinators. Subsequently, we re-audited six more weeks of theatre lists (255) from November to December 2019.

Results

The orthopaedic consultant in charge was noted for 100% of patients compared to 85% previously. There was an improvement in documenting the required anaesthesia such as noting 14.5% required spinal compared to 0.3% previously. Prosthesis/equipment was mentioned for 34% of patients compared to 23%. Fluoroscopy was noted as being required for 25% of patients compared to 11%.

Conclusion

We believe standards should be in place in order for us to follow to ensure we carry out safe and efficient Orthopaedic theatre lists, and these standards should entail the parameters we have audited. The 'William Harvey theatre list standard' should be used as a gold standard for all elective Orthopaedic theatre lists.

Orthopaedic Trauma Theatre Efficiency in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are We Returning to Normality?

Background

Recent studies have shown a decline in theatre efficiency and productivity coinciding with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this study, we evaluate trauma theatre task efficiency in three different time periods (April 2019, April 2020, and November 2020), and analyse if productivity has altered since the start of the pandemic.

Methods

The records of a total of 320 patients who underwent orthopaedic trauma surgery at a large district general hospital in April 2019, April 2020 (during the first wave of the pandemic) and November 2020 (during the second wave of the pandemic) were analysed. Primary outcomes measured include time to get to the theatre, anaesthetic preparation time, the sum of time of anaesthesia and surgical preparation time, duration of surgery and time to transfer to recovery. Patient demographics as well as the type of surgery were also analysed.

Results

The time to get to the theatre and anaesthetic preparation time significantly increased in April 2020 (p<0.05) but fell in November 2020 with no significant difference in comparison to before the pandemic in April 2019 (p>0.05). The duration of surgery and time to transfer to recovery significantly increased in April 2020 (p<0.05) and though reduced in November 2020, was still significantly greater in comparison to April 2019 (p<0.05). In April 2020, the proportion of patients aged 18-65 was just 26% as compared to 35% in April 2019. This figure rose again to 45% in November 2020. The number of hip fracture procedures remained similar during the three time periods, with 32, 32 and 36 hip fracture operations in April 2019, April 2020 and November 2020, respectively.

Conclusion

While operating theatres' efficiency decreased during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, it increased again in the second wave, coming close to the ‘normal’ levels before the pandemic struck.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Trauma Theatre Efficiency

Introduction

A large transformation in the management of trauma has ensued following the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. There has been an increase in reliance on guidance for decision-making and alterations in the working of the trauma theatre. This has largely been due to the safety measures implemented. Theatre efficiency has gained increasing importance over the years, and with the added pressure of the pandemic, it is essential that trauma theatres operate efficiently. There has been no data analysing the efficiency of trauma theatre during this pandemic.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively analyzed the data at our hospital and looked into the parameters to assess trauma theatre efficiency. It was noted that the operative time and anaesthetic time went up significantly in 2020 in comparison to 2019. Also, the change over time and the late start time was significantly high in 2020. A large proportion of cases did not start on time in 2020. This resulted in a decrease in the efficiency of theatre usage.

Discussion

Reduced productivity of the trauma theatre has been due to several reasons, many of which include implementation of safety measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), theatre cleaning, recovery of patients, using designated routes for transfer, and many others. The challenge lies in applying these new measures into our daily practice at the same time while providing efficient care.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the key areas of concern and improvement which need to be addressed in order to render effective trauma care.

Botulinum-A intramuscular injection in an orthopaedic paediatric patient cohort: service restructure analysis

Botulinum intramuscular injections are increasingly being used in the management of hypertonic musculature. Historically, injections were administered under general anaesthesia (GA), which has service and economic implications. Our delivery changed to outpatient conscious injections to improve service efficiency. A retrospective analysis of all patient injections from January 2010 to December 2015 analysed cost-benefit and efficiency of service remodelling. 472 patients were administered injections, 298 in theatre under GA and 174 without GA. In 2010, 97 of 102 cases were performed under GA (45 theatre-hours), decreasing to 18 of 68 cases in 2015 (8.4 theatre-hours). The mean hospital stay decreased from 410 to 135 min. The reduction in theatre use and the requirement for a postanaesthetic bed led to significant savings per case. Service remodelling showed successful cost saving and reduced in-hospital stay.