OPERATING ROOMS: Staff turnover rates, U.S. 2017

Staff turnover rates in U.S. hospitals have remained about the same for the past few years, according to this survey conducted in the spring of 2017.  A total of 338 responses were received from OR managers.  Here are the findings for turnover:

• 9.7 percent (average turnover rate for RNs in the OR)
• 8.2 percent (average turnover rate for surgical technologists)

Staff turnover in this survey was defined as “the percentage of staff who have left and been replaced in the past 12 months).

Source: Saver, C. (2017, September). Survey: Surgical volume creeps up amid scramble for new staff. OR Manager, 33(9), 1, 9-11, 13.  Click here for publisher’s website: http://www.ormanager.com/survey-surgical-volume-creeps-up-amid-scramble-for-new-staff/  Posted by AHA Resource Center (312) 422-2050, rc@aha.org

Operating room turnover and vacancy rates

Based on a survey with just under 300 responses, the vacancy rate for RNs in hospital-based ORs was:

• 6% in 2010
• 6% in 2009
• 10% in 2008

The turnover rate for OR personnel in hospitals  in 2010 was:

• 5% for RNs
• 6% for surgical technologists

Skill mix: The ratio of RNs to surgical techs has held steady for the past three years at roughly two-thirds RNs to one-third techs in both hospital ORs and ambulatory surgery centers.

Source: OR directors striving to adjust staffing in a down economy.  OR Manager;26(9):1+, Sept. 2010.