Room Turnover -- How to get faster?

[hereinlc]

Hi,

I am an experienced nurse, new to the OR. Went through a six month training at my hospital and am now on my own. I know I have a lot to learn and I've heard all about how it takes a year to feel comfortable in the OR. I wanted to ask of the experienced OR nurses out there -- what are your tips/tricks for speedy room turnover? Can you share your process/system, etc. I want to feel I am doing all I can to keep the surgeons happy and get the rooms turned over in a timely manner. Any and all advice is welcome!

[XpedX, BSN]

When I am done documenting and if the current case isn't short. I look at the next procedure's preference card and start pulling items in the room that will not come up on the case cart. I will pull trash and linen bags, clothes for cleaning, anything I know will be needed to clean and setup the room for the following case that I possibly can within reason (meds, gloves, gowns, suture, prep solutions and make what we call a "goodie bag" with a kick bucket bag). For cases I know that are going to be messy I throw a blanket on the floor to catch blood, less time mopping. I take the techs back table and start putting dirty instruments away. I make a list of equipment needed for positioning and ask my aides to have it ready for me outside the door. I bust my butt to take my patient to PACU, give report, and then return to help clean the room. I return unused (hold) items from my case cart to the sterile supply room/CPD put-away cart while surgeon/assistants are closing. I prep for the beginning of the case, not for the entire case. Because most of the stuff I can grab before/after charting.

[HitTheRoad]

Response to SurgicalTechCST

This is how it should be done, and very similar to how my original facility operated. I've just started to travel, and I can't believe how much responsibility is put onto the circ. and tech to do nearly everything, including trouble-shoot so many problems that can arise.

I find it ridiculous to beat the clock instead of take care of the patient and get everything done right. Anesthesia just wants to make more bucks, and it pisses me off when they also push for the turnovers...how about pick your fn trash off the floor and help out rather than stand in pre-op, just waiting?

If only we didn't have to deal with so much being left undone and for us to fix at the last second - after we haven't had a chance to catch our breath!

There has to be support staff for an OR to work smoothly, efficiently, and happily!