title: [Quality of OR planning. Avoiding operating room underutilization or overutilization].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accurate scheduling of operations is essential for an efficiently used OR. The aim of this investigation was to describe the quality of OR scheduling in the analyzed OR. Furthermore suggestions for avoiding underutilization or overutilization through optimized OR planning should be addressed if possible.
  
  
  METHODS
  The planned duration, the real duration and the differences in minutes of 10,831 operations were analyzed. The statistical distribution was determined and the median, the quartiles, the interquartile range and the number of operations with a real duration lasting longer than planned were calculated. All operations were grouped in ascending order from the shortest planned duration. All planning groups were analyzed statistically and the results were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The planned OR durations did not show a normal distribution and 34% of all operations showed a real duration lasting longer than planned. The median of the differences was 10 min indicating that 50% of all operations were finished within 10 min earlier than planned. Operations with planned longer durations (>150 min) showed significantly more frequently a real duration lasting longer than planned. Furthermore, the differences between planned and real durations were additionally larger when planned durations were longer than 150 min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prognosis of operations with longer planned duration (>150 min) should be improved in the OR area analyzed. Scheduling of these operations at the beginning of the OR list or with a sufficient time interval towards the end of the appointed OR block time within the OR list can avoid or at least minimize underutilization and overutilization of the OR.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anästhesie, Operative Intensivmedizin und Rettungsmedizin, Klinikum der Stadt Wolfsburg, Sauerbruchstr. 7, 38440 Wolfsburg, Deutschland. rolf.grote@klinikum.wolfsburg.de
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grote
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sydow
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walleneit
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leuchtmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menzel
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
references.citation: Anaesthesist. 2007 Mar;56(3):259-71
references.pmid: 17333035
references.citation: Anesthesiology. 1996 Dec;85(6):1235-45
references.pmid: 8968169
references.citation: Anesthesiology. 2003 Jan;98(1):232-40
references.pmid: 12503002
references.citation: Anesthesiology. 2008 Jul;109(1):25-35
references.pmid: 18580169
references.citation: Anesthesiology. 1999 Jul;91(1):262-74
references.pmid: 10422952
references.citation: Anesth Analg. 2009 Oct;109(4):1232-45
references.pmid: 19762753
references.citation: Anesthesiology. 2010 Jan;112(1):41-9
references.pmid: 19952726
references.citation: Anesthesiology. 2000 Apr;92(4):1160-7
references.pmid: 10754637
references.citation: Anesthesiology. 2005 Aug;103(2):391-400
references.pmid: 16052122
references.citation: Anaesthesist. 2008 Sep;57(9):882-92
references.pmid: 18696016
references.citation: Anaesthesist. 2007 Aug;56(8):812-9
references.pmid: 17530206
references.citation: Anaesthesist. 2009 Jun;58(6):623-32
references.pmid: 19562399
references.citation: Anesth Analg. 1995 Dec;81(6):1263-8
references.pmid: 7486114
references.citation: Anesthesiology. 2006 Aug;105(2):237-40
references.pmid: 16871055
references.citation: Can J Anaesth. 2005 Nov;52(9):935-9
references.pmid: 16251558