BEJARANO, Mónica. Quantitative evaluation of efficiency of operating rooms. []. , 26, 4, pp.273-284. ISSN 2011-7582.

Introduction: In economics, efficiency is seen as the capacity to achieve a desired goal with the possible minimum use of resources. The aim of this study was to objectively determine the efficiency of the operating rooms at the Clínica Rafael Uribe Uribe in Cali, Colombia. Materials and methods: Variables similar to those proposed by another group were selected (timely start of the operation, percentage of cancellations, operating room turnover, late start of operation) and other data were collected (percentage of utilization, timely start for emergency cases, gross profitability) based on the primary information that was available in the services, for the period July 2010 through June 2011. Results: 7,941 surgical interventions were carried out in the period July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011, of which 66.1% were elective. Time interval between the programmed time for start of elective surgery and the start of surgery was 18 minutes, average. In 12.8% of cases there was late start of the operation. Operating room turnover ranged between 11 and 13 minutes. Percent of utilization of the operating rooms for elective surgery was 68.8%. Monthly cancellations exhibited rates between 8.7% and 15.3%. Median time for start of emergency operations was 84 minutes. Mean gross profitability was 14.8% per month. Discussion: Current trends in medical care demand institutions that show maximum efficiency in use of resources. According to the proposed Macario efficiency score system in surgery, the variables evaluated at the Rafael Uribe Uribe Clinic, with the exception of the monthly rate of cancellations, appear within the classification of good yield and performance.

: efficiency; operating rooms; surgery department; hospital; utilization; costs and cost analysis.

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