be careful not to do anything that might cause cuts or abrasions on
their arms or legs."
6. Pull cases ahead of time. "We always pull our cases a day or
two ahead (and keep them) in clear plastic containers that are clear-
ly labeled and placed in the order they will be used on our cart,"
says Ms. Reynolds. "This especially helps turnover on busy days."
7. Have anesthesia review charts ahead of time. It helps to have
advance warning if patients may have difficult airways or other com-
plications, so you'll be able to ensure that there's enough time for ade-
quate discharge instructions.
8. Schedule fast cases first. "It gives the staff momentum and sets
the tone for the day," says John D. Kelly IV, MD, an orthopedic sur-
geon from Philadelphia.
9. Have enough instrument sets. "When I started, we had 3
arthroscopy trays; we have 8 now," says Ms. Quinn. That's what it
takes to keeps things flowing smoothly in her 2 operating rooms. "If
we're doing 5 knee scopes and they're booked for 60 minutes each,
you have to keep in mind that it takes a good 2 to 2 and a half hours
to reprocess a tray."
10. Use custom packs. It's a huge time-saver to have all the materi-
als you need for a procedure all packed and ready to go. "The only
things our staff have to pick for cases are gloves and instrument
trays," says Ms. Quinn.
11. Consider using stretcher tables. Having one table that can
carry a patient from pre-op to PACU, with no transfer needed, saves
valuable time. Stretchers that accommodate arm boards, leg holders
and shoulder supports can be versatile enough to meet all your needs.
12. Use regional anesthesia. A good regional program helps man-
age post-op pain and speed recovery, both hallmarks of efficiency.
13. Designate space for regional administration. "Blocks should be
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