Closing the Door on too much OR Traffic:  An Investigation of OR Traffic Behaviors  in Two Dutch Hospitals

The present study investigated operating room (OR) traffic at the OR’s of two Dutch hospitals. OR traffic is one of the multiple causes of surgical site infections (SSIs). Hospitals are trying to reduce their amount of OR traffic as much as possible in order to reduce the number of SSIs. Knowing how much variation of the amount of OR traffic occurs and knowing the reasons for its occurrence, is important to actually be able to reduce OR traffic to an tolerable level. For this study, OR traffic was investigated by observing OR traffic during surgeries (N = 83). On average, 4.29 door openings per hour occurred. Between the hospitals, the averages of OR traffic per hour differed greatly (hospital 1 M = 3.00, hospital 2 M = 5.23). Overall, there was a positive linear relation between the amount of OR traffic and the duration of a surgery. Two-way traffic was related to less overall OR traffic. Visible signs about the OR traffic policy did not seem effective in reducing OR traffic. Based...Show moreThe present study investigated operating room (OR) traffic at the OR’s of two Dutch hospitals. OR traffic is one of the multiple causes of surgical site infections (SSIs). Hospitals are trying to reduce their amount of OR traffic as much as possible in order to reduce the number of SSIs. Knowing how much variation of the amount of OR traffic occurs and knowing the reasons for its occurrence, is important to actually be able to reduce OR traffic to an tolerable level. For this study, OR traffic was investigated by observing OR traffic during surgeries (N = 83). On average, 4.29 door openings per hour occurred. Between the hospitals, the averages of OR traffic per hour differed greatly (hospital 1 M = 3.00, hospital 2 M = 5.23). Overall, there was a positive linear relation between the amount of OR traffic and the duration of a surgery. Two-way traffic was related to less overall OR traffic. Visible signs about the OR traffic policy did not seem effective in reducing OR traffic. Based on the results of this study, practical recommendations to improve OR traffic policy were proposed. Also, we advised on improving OR traffic registration and efficient behavior of OR personnel to reduce OR traffic.Show less

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Closing the Door on too much OR Traffic: An Investigation of OR Traffic Behaviors in Two Dutch Hospitals