title: Otolaryngology Consult Carts: Maximizing Patient Care, Surgeon Efficiency, and Cost Containment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to develop an otolaryngology consult cart system to ensure prompt delivery to the bedside of all the unique equipment and medications required for emergent and urgent otolaryngology consults.
  
  
  METHODS
  An otolaryngology practice responsible for emergency room and hospital consult coverage sought to create a cart containing all equipment, medications, and supplies for otolaryngology consults. Meetings with hospital administration and emergency room, nursing, pharmacy, central processing, and operating room staff were held to develop a system for the emergent delivery of the cart to the needed location, sterilization and restocking of equipment between uses, and appropriate billing of supplies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two months were required from conception to implementation. All equipment was purchased new, including flexible scopes and headlights. The cart is sterilized, restocked, and maintained by central processing after each use. The equipment is available to handle all airway emergencies as well as all common otolaryngology consults and is delivered bedside in less than 5 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The development of a self-contained otolaryngology consult cart requires coordination with a wide variety of hospital departments. This system, while requiring initial monetary and time investment, has resulted in improved patient care, cost containment, and surgeon convenience.
authors.affiliation: Columbus Regional Health, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Columbus, Indiana, USA mroyer@crh.org.
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Royer
authors.affiliation: Columbus Regional Health, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Columbus, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Allison K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Royer
mesh_terms: D004180:Direct Service Costs; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000592:standards; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: cost containment; epistaxis; laryngoscopy; otolaryngology consults; tracheostomy