As you are well aware, block scheduling has a direct impact on an OR’s efficiency and on surgeon’s satisfaction. Over the past several years, Surgical Directions has developed and effectively deployed block schedules that have improved OR utilization and actually increased surgeon satisfaction and productivity. Some of our “best practice” guidelines include:

• Establish and monitor block guidelines via a Surgical Executive Committee (with surgeon, anesthesia, nursing and administration involvement)
• Allow only 8+ hour blocks
• Variable release times by specialty
• 20%+ “open time” to allow for ease of access to schedule by non-blocked surgeons
• Monitor block utilization on a monthly basis and provide individual surgeon notices on a quarterly basis
• If necessary, reduce block time by frequency of block not duration of block

These are just some of our guidelines – what has worked well at your organization?