How Outsourcing Can Help Improve Operating Room Efficiency

by Raynetta Stansil Independent Healthcare Consultant

Outsourcing some key elements of your facility’s Operating Room will generate numerous benefits for all involved stakeholders. By outsourcing operating room services to an independent provider, hospitals can increase efficiency and decrease costs.

As demand for surgery has increased, the supply of operating room staff has tightened. As access to healthcare and surgical technology improve, higher surgical volume should be celebrated. This benefits hospitals in need of revenue and it helps patients in need of care. However, as hospitals struggle to attract and retain staff, the boost in business can become a difficult management dilemma.

This creates two challenges of increased demand and tight staffing. Both issues create a pressing need for efficiency. Outsourcing surgical functions ranging from clinical responsibilities to logistics services such as procedure prep, clean-up, and equipment sterilization and maintenance can help. This creates a clear division of labor in the OR which enables productivity. Outsourcing specific functions allows specialists to handle those responsibilities, freeing up capacity for hospital staff to do what they do best. Freeing clinical staff from non-clinical responsibilities allows them to focus on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. This improves quality of care while increasing provider satisfaction and reducing burnout. Outsourcing services reduces costs. Using an on-demand service turns fixed costs into variable costs that can be matched directly to earned revenue. This provides an immediate effect on hospitals’ financial statements.

Hospitals should shift towards on-demand, turn-key solutions that offer fully outfitted workers and state-of-the-art equipment. As they do so, they can both reduce costs and improve care for their patients.