Background

Different surgical sub specialities rely on fixed number of porters each morning to bring patients to operating theatre.

In daily morning trauma meetings usual practice is to present the whole list of one theatre and then move on to next theatre list. Once all the theatres trauma list are presented, porters are sent to get patients to theatre.

With different sub-specialities starting simultaneously and competing for fixed numbers of porters, this can cause significant delay in getting the patients to anaesthetic room.

Methods

Retrospective pilot project in level 1 major trauma centre were more that two trauma list a day is a common norm.

Pilot project:

• First (Golden) patient for every trauma list would be presented at the start of the trauma meeting

• Meeting would pause and consultant chairing the meeting would request the trauma theatre representative to send for these patients

• Once this is done the meeting would recommence as usual

Results

1. (a)

   The porters were sent on an average more than 30 minutes earlier in the pilot week.

2. (b)

   This was further reflected in the patients being brought into holding bay.

3. (c)

   The patients were in the anaesthetic room on an average 40 minutes before in pilot group compared to usual practice.

Conclusion/Findings

Presenting first patient of each trauma list and then asking theatre to send porter to get the patient to theatre can save appreciable time.

Implications

To run an hour of theatre costs £1200. This initiative can save lot of money for NHS.