OR Interim Engagement

Setting the Scene

Operational problems led to multiple leadership vacancies in one metropolitan, Mid-Atlantic hospital. The hospital’s 11-room operating suite housed a wide range of surgical services, including general surgery, gynecology, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, urology, bariatric surgery, endoscopy and robotic surgery.

Crafting a Solution

Compass Clinical Consulting deployed an interim OR Director to fill the hospital’s vacancy. Upon initial assessment, the interim OR Director identified three opportunities for improvement – low block utilization, frequent case delays, and low patient satisfaction scores – as top priorities. In addition, the assessment uncovered non-compliance with certain regulatory requirements related to clinical practice. Over the course of six months, the interim OR Director made several operational changes and rebuilt a new OR management team.

Seeing the Results

Operational and management changes resulted in dramatic improvements over this six-month period. Despite a slight increase in surgical volume, there was a 30% increase (absolute, not relative) in on-time starts with a 20% increase in block utilization. Room turnover time decreased to 21 minutes, and patient satisfaction scores rose from 47% to 76%. In addition, corrective action relative to regulatory compliance resulted in improved compliance with the standards of The Joint Commission, as noted during mock surveys.

Other Success Stories:

• Improving the Case Management Process
• Emergency Department Redesign
• Interim Director of Infection Control
• Case Management Assessment and Interim Leadership
• Recovering from CMS Immediate Jeopardy and Termination
• Improving Productivity and Labor Cost Management
• Interim Pharmacy Director
• Interim Director of Anesthesia
• Regaining CMS Certification
• OR Assessment and Interim Leadership
• Strategic Restructuring