1. Monitor on-time statistics. The hospital has been closely monitoring on-time statistics in the OR. A key to this is making sure all pre-op preparations are ready at the time surgery is ready to start. “Everything has to be all lined up,” Dr. Dietz says.
2. Control implant costs. “We look very carefully at use of all screws, rods, plates, etc.,” Dr. Dietz says. “We don’t want to be draconian but you can’t use certain expensive devices.” A hospital committee reviews new technology, based on the latest scientific merits, and attempts to qualify the potential value versus the cost.
3. Cross-train employees. Employees are cross-trained to perform several jobs. This means they can shift from pre-op to post-op or from recovery or PACU to pre-op without compromising quality. “Staff are capable of doing this because they have been around so long,” Dr. Dietz says.
4. Keep staff retention high. Surgical staff can be in constant rotation from facility to facility, but Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital has achieved high retention rates because it is a great place to work, Dr. Dietz says.
Learn more about Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital.
