Improving Efficiency and Reducing Costs in Robotic Surgery: A Lean Six Sigma Approach to Optimize Turnover Time

Abstract

Abstract Operating room (OR) turnover time (TOT) is the time it takes to prepare an OR for the next surgery after the previous one has been completed. Reducing OR TOT can improve the efficiency of the OR, reduce costs and improve surgeons’ and patients’ satisfaction. To evaluate the effectiveness of an Operating Room (OR) Turnover Time (TOT) reduction initiative using the Lean Six Sigma methodology (DMAIC) in the bariatric and thoracic service lines. Performance improvement strategies consisted on simplifying steps (surgical tray optimization) and concurrent steps (parallel task execution). We compared two non-consecutive months (pre-implementation and post-implementation). A paired t-test was used to assess whether the difference in the measurements was statistically significant. The study found that TOT was reduced by 15.6% from an average of 35.6 minutes with a standard deviation of 8.1 to an average of 30.09 minutes with a standard deviation of 9.7 (p < 0.05). Specifically, in the bariatric service line, TOT was reduced by 17.15% and in the thoracic service line, TOT was reduced by 9.6%. No adverse events related to the initiative were reported. The results of this study indicate that the TOT reduction initiative was effective in reducing TOT. The efficient use of operating rooms is crucial in hospital management, as it not only impacts finances but also affects the satisfaction of surgical teams and patients. This study shows the effectiveness of Lean Six Sigma methodology in reducing TOT and improving the efficiency in the OR.