Operating Room efficiency

Looking for ways to make the OR I work in more efficient. Management is about to change everything about our day and just wondering how the rest of the world does day to day things that go along with working in the OR. Here are a few things I'd like to get opinions/advice on...

- Currently the Circulator and CRNA interview the patient in outpatient and both transport the patient to the OR for the scheduled procedure. Does anyone do this different?

- Night shift duties/checklists. We currently have a scrub tech and circulator on the 11pm-7am shift. Most of the time they are not doing cases but they are not stocking rooms or getting equipment in the rooms for the first cases of the day.

-Cross training.... I work in a facility that has 4 teams. General/Trauma, Ortho/Neuro, Vascular and Open heart. Each team has a backup service but they want every staff member to be able to do every procedure.

- HIPPA compliant communication devices. Currently personal cell phones are being used to communicate with team members and surgeons. Anyone use a specific company/device provided by the hospital?

- Team Leaders. All 4 of our teams have team leaders but their duties seem to be lost. Any ideas are appreciated.

Just looking for ideas and new approaches to make the OR safe and efficient for everyone involved. We have OR assistants who provide moving help, runs to the lab/blood bank, pull cases that have been added on etc but we seem to always have hurdles all day. Thanks to everyone in advance for your input.