A: “Block time needs to be allocated judiciously and monitored for
compliance,” says Peggy Zampetti, RN, senior vice president of facility
development and clinical operations for Titan Health. “If not, it
affects the efficient utilization of the operating rooms. Utilization
reports can monitor the use of the block time. Our policy states that
if the block is not scheduled 72 hours in advance it will be released
to open the schedule to other physicians, thus increasing the effective
use of operating room time.”
David Thoene, vice president of business development for Titan Health, offers this advice.
“Sometimes it’s helpful if the block surrender policy recognizes that
some specialties schedule further out than others — accordingly, one
size doesn’t fit all,” Mr. Thoene says. “Orthopedic and bariatric
procedures are scheduled further out than, say, a general surgery
procedures. For many patients it’s important to have the surgery
conveniently scheduled around work or vacation schedules. On the other
hand, a patient with a troubling lump that is perceived serious health
risk might ask to be scheduled quickly. A review of past surgeon
scheduling patterns is helpful when formulating the block surrender
policy.”
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