Considering all aspects, clinical and administrative, of the surgical process at OSNC/Rex, identify and explore areas for improvement (patient care, efficiency, follow-up, staff responsibilities,etc). Design a quality improvement initiative addressing a specific developmental opportunity. This should be a complete design/presentation with area of need, options, SWOT analysis, recommendations and action steps. This must be an original design.

1. Surgical Capstone
Assignment
Kathryn DeBlaker, LAT, ATC
Orthopaedic Specialists of North Carolina
Athletic Training Resident

2. Area Of Need
Utilization of proper start times
For example if first case is scheduled to
start at 7:15am, patient is in the
operating room and ready for the
surgeon prior to that scheduled start
time

3. Options and
Recommendations
o Earlier Arrival times for patients
o While avoiding patient getting their too early and having to
wait an extended period of time this allows the patient to
be ready in pre-op when the OR becomes available
o Utilization of Swing Rooms
o Allowing a physician to have two operating rooms
available for use.
o Allows Physician Assistant to finish closure in one room
and Physician to begin opening in another.

4. SWOT Analysis

5. Action Steps
• Have first patient arrive early and ready for
induction by posted surgical time
• Have physician ready to begin at designated time
• Have an additional room set up for the alternating
cases so that physician can move into next case
while PA closes.
• Have fast turn over and decrease surgeon waiting
time

6. Action Steps
• Have first patient arrive early and ready for
induction by posted surgical time
• Have physician ready to begin at designated time
• Have an additional room set up for the alternating
cases so that physician can move into next case
while PA closes.
• Have fast turn over and decrease surgeon waiting
time