William L. Hennrikus, MD, of Hershey, Pa.-based Penn State College of Medicine, and colleagues examined pediatric patients between 12 years and 18 years who underwent ACL reconstruction between 2009 and 2014. Researchers measured procedural efficiency and total operating time.
Researchers analyzed approximately 49 ACL reconstructions performed — 28 in outpatient surgery centers and 21 in hospital ORs.
Here’s what they found:
1. Overall efficiency was higher at outpatient surgery centers.
2. Overall OR time decreased by 30 minutes with less staff utilization in the surgery center.
3. Surgical technician and nursing changes occurred six and 2.5 times more in the hospital setting, respectively.
4. Procedural efficiency was greater in the surgery center.
Researchers concluded, “The provision of consistent and experienced orthopedic specific teams allows for improvement in OR efficiency, cost, and value.”
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