OR Staffing Question

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 25, 2012

How many ORs do you have "staff ready" on a daily basis and how many staff cover those rooms? How many RNs, and how many surgical techs?

Ranges from 18-21. One RN circulator, two scrub personnel (usually both are surg techs, although occasionally a nurse). That will be changing in the future- one RN, one ST, unless the surgeon doesn't have a PA, and then a first assistant will fill in.

Do you feel your staffing coverage is too much, not enough or just right?
I'm having trouble finding clear benchmarking information.

Too little in my specialty, usually ok in the rest, although some days are a little tight with staffing. My specialty takes a lot more call than the others, and unlike them, will not be going to the 1 RN/ 1ST staffing- we will be keeping the 1 RN/ 2 scrub staffing. Currently, we have 10 people to staff 3 rooms, leaving one person to give all 9 lunches. Some days my lunch ends 30min before it's time to go home for the day, some days I just don't get one.

Also, do you have housekeeping staff help with Turnover of a room?

Nope. The room staff are responsible for the turnover of the room, the anesthesia tech turns over the anesthesia machine, and a PCA will mop the floor if able. Housekeeping only cleans the room once they're done for the day.

ORoxyO · Oct 25, 2012

4 ORs. Usually 6 nurses and 4 techs all day with a tech starting at 11 for lunches. Looking for another tech though as they consider that short handed having one tech do 4 lunches.

Houskeeping cleans between each case.

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2012

lmao sweet wild rose......... 9 lunches!!!!! thats not even possible!!!!!!!??????

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 28, 2012

lmao sweet wild rose......... 9 lunches!!!!! thats not even possible!!!!!!!??????

Sometimes, if it's just a CABG and we're in the process of grafting, that one person can send both scrubs to lunch at the same time with the understanding that a STAT page overhead means they abandon lunch (I've had to do it- leave everything open and sitting on the table while running back to the room when another surgeon punctured the heart in a non-cardiac case). Most who pack and don't have to run to the cafeteria will also cut the lunch break to 20 minutes. Others will wait until their case is finished, but if something happens where it doesn't finish until end of shift, they don't get lunch. Some days we win, some days we lose.