Reducing Preoperative Waiting-time in a Pediatric Eye Operation Theater by Optimizing Process Flow: A Pilot Quality Improvement Project.

OBJECTIVE: To decrease the preoperative area waiting-time for children posted for eye surgery.

METHODS: A pilot quality improvement project was conducted in a single paediatric eye operation theatre in our tertiary-care hospital. Operation theatre process flow was analyzed, baseline data was collected, and two Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were performed on consecutive days. Average and maximal waiting-time were recorded across six operation theatre days.

RESULTS: The average and maximal waiting time at baseline were 221 and 390 minutes, respectively. After two rapid Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, these were reduced to 29 (87% reduction) and 52 minutes (87% reduction) from baseline, respectively, and could subsequently be sustained.

CONCLUSION: Preoperative waiting time in ophthalmic operation theatre was significantly reduced by simple process flow optimization, thereby improving quality of care.