Theatre utilisation and productivity diagnostic

December 12, 2017 • Reading time 1 minute

Faced with increasing demand for theatres with fixed capacity, Edge Health undertook a diagnostic of a hospital’s theatre utilisation and productivity.

We used a variety of innovative diagnostic tools to identify blocks of free theatre space, analyse rates of surgery completion and investigate instances of cancellation and non-attendance.

We also simulated the impact of extending sessions by specialty. Based on this simulation, we found that improving the utilisation of theatre sessions could release an additional c.20% of capacity – the majority from reducing early finishes due to cancellations. We also found an additional c.14% opportunity from better utilisation of sessions that currently go fallow (i.e. dropped and not picked up).

The hospital used our insight to reintroduce a texting system to remind clinicians of expected no-shows, improve the theatre booking process and they are reviewing the work plans which lead to fallow sessions.

Edge Health

Edge Health are a specialist UK healthcare analytics consultancy that use data and insights to improve the delivery of health and care services, so that better outcomes can be delivered more efficiently.

Edge Health are a specialist UK healthcare analytics consultancy that use data and insights to improve the delivery of health and care services, so that better outcomes can be delivered more efficiently.