OR Efficiency & Case Flow Flashcards

During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the scrub tech notices the laparoscope is fogging repeatedly. The MOST efficient intraoperative solution is:

Answer: Warming the scope tip or applying anti-fog solution to clear the lens without interrupting flow

Warming the scope tip or using anti-fog solution is the standard rapid fix that restores visualization without requiring a scope exchange or case delay.

The term 'block scheduling' in OR management refers to:

Answer: Reserving OR time in defined blocks for specific surgeons or service lines to improve predictability

Block scheduling allocates reserved OR time to specific surgeons or specialties, improving case volume predictability and resource planning.

Which of the following BEST describes the scrub technician's role during the 'timeout' procedure?

Answer: Actively participating by verbally confirming the patient, procedure, and site

Every member of the OR team, including the scrub tech, must actively participate in the timeout by confirming critical patient safety information.

To minimize contamination risk during a long case, the scrub tech should:

Answer: Keep the sterile field compact, covered when not in active use, and avoid reaching over it

Maintaining a compact sterile field and covering it during pauses reduces the risk of contamination and helps the scrub tech maintain control during long procedures.

What does 'case duration accuracy' measure in OR efficiency metrics?

Answer: The difference between predicted and actual case length, used to improve future scheduling

Case duration accuracy compares estimated versus actual OR times to refine future scheduling and reduce block time waste.

When a case is added emergently to a full OR schedule, which action by the scrub tech BEST supports team efficiency?

Answer: Quickly reviewing the preference card, gathering supplies from the case cart, and communicating readiness to the team

Proactively reviewing the preference card and mobilizing supplies speeds the room's readiness for the emergent add-on while keeping the team informed.

Which metric BEST reflects overall OR suite efficiency?

Answer: OR utilization rate — the percentage of scheduled block time actually used for surgical cases

OR utilization rate measures how effectively booked time is converted to actual surgical minutes, serving as the primary indicator of suite-wide efficiency.