The provision of a trauma bed in theatre recovery and its impact on trauma theatre efficiency: experience from a high-volume trauma unit
2025

Impact of a Trauma Bed on Theatre Efficiency

Sample size: 78 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Saleem J, Brown O, Mclean C, Kurzatkowski K, Radha S, Mallina R

Primary Institution: Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, UK

Hypothesis

Implementing a ringfenced trauma bed in recovery will expedite the start of the first case in trauma theatre.

Conclusion

The introduction of a trauma bed significantly improved theatre start times and overall efficiency.

Supporting Evidence

  • The first PDSA cycle showed an improved arrival time of 9.01am compared to preintervention.
  • PDSA cycle 2 further reduced the arrival time to 8.52am.
  • The number of cases performed increased to 3.67 in PDSA cycle 2.

Takeaway

Having a special bed for trauma patients in recovery helps doctors start surgeries faster and do more operations in a day.

Methodology

Quality improvement project using Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) methodology over three cycles.

Potential Biases

Data collectors were not blinded to the study, which may introduce bias.

Limitations

Potential for observation bias and confounding factors affecting service provision.

Participant Demographics

Patients of all ages undergoing surgery in the trauma theatre.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p < 0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1308/rcsann.2023.0106

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