OPERATING ROOMS: Flip room utilization can be 30 to 40 percent lower BUT there are reasons to implement them

If setting up an operating room schedule that permits surgeons to move immediately from one procedure to the next results in lower surgical suite utilization, why do it?  This pragmatic article suggests that, if managed carefully, flip rooms can be a powerful incentive to reward productive and loyal surgeons.  How to decide which surgeons qualify to be offered the flip room schedule is discussed.  Orthopedic surgeons tend to be good candidates due to the nature and duration of orthopedic cases.  The political ramifications of offering flip rooms to only certain surgeons need to be considered.

How to Identify Surgeons Who Would Be Good Flip Room Candidates

• Are they using their current block time at 75 to 80 percent?
• Are they bringing in 250+ cases per year?
• Do they have a lot of cases with an operative time of 60 minutes or less?

Source: Firm policies and the right procedures tip the cost-benefit balance toward flip rooms.  OR Manager;30(4):19-21, Apr. 2014.  Click here to access the publisher’s website:   http://www.ormanager.com/2014/03/13/firm-policies-and-the-right-procedures-tip-the-cost-benefit-balance-toward-flip-rooms/  Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org