Description
In this webinar session moderated by Maureen Sly-Havey, past president of the Canadian Orthopedic Nurses Association, the focus is on strategies to tackle increased wait times for orthopedic surgeries exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a series of presentations, experts share innovative efficiencies they have developed, contributing to improved patient satisfaction and surgical outcomes. The first speaker, Dr. Paul Beaule, a specialist in hip surgery and a medical researcher, discusses his findings on how systemic, team-based approaches can enhance operational efficiencies within surgical settings.
Dr. Beaule introduces data reflecting the negative impact of COVID on surgical backlogs and the pressing need for improved resource management in single-payer health systems. He emphasizes the holistic principles guiding successful orthopedic practices, detailing a review of surgical data involving over 4,000 procedures which aimed to identify factors contributing to timely surgery completion. He notes a clear variance in success rates based on procedure types, anesthesia complexity, and even the day of the week.
Through machine learning analysis, Dr. Beaule establishes that team dynamics—rather than just patient-specific factors—most significantly predict surgical success. His recommendations include streamlining workflows, minimizing turnaround times, and fostering collaborative environments to achieve operational goals.
The presentation culminates in the implementation of positive deviance seminars, a framework focusing on high performers to inspire broader team adherence to best practices, which has led to remarkable efficiency, including a 100% success rate for completing multiple joint surgeries by designated times. Overall, the session highlights the importance of teamwork, data-driven insights, and proactive management in addressing the pressing challenges posed by surgery wait times.