AB187. 144. Surgical ‘Kaizen’ 60-day review—what impact have we made?

Background: In July this year, as part of the ‘Kaizen’, the UCHG surgical department undertook changes in order to increase efficiency relating to Emergency Surgery. ‘Kaizen’ is a Japanese term that literally means ‘change for better’. Four areas were identified within the emergency surgical process that was felt could be changed to increase efficiency. These composed of implementing an ASAU, access to theatre being changed with the opening of a second emergency theatre. There was an extension of opening hours in the recovery room and also at ward-level care with better compliance with predicted date of discharges highlighted. There has been a 60-day review to look at what impact if any has been made and how we can further increase efficiency if possible. Evaluate impact of surgical Kaizen on theatre waiting times and hospital length of stay.

Methods: Analysis was performed on our prospectively maintained database for the first 60 days post-Kaizen. We compared this data to previously recorded data from a similar timeframe prior to these changes being implemented.

Results: There has been a 50% reduction in theatre waiting times. This has translated to a saving of >2,255 bed days per annum. Post Kaizen, 1.4-day reduction in Urology and 0.4-day reduction for General/Plastics hospital length of stay. There has been a reduction in high risk out of hours surgery despite 20% increase in theatre activity.

Conclusions: The surgical ‘Kaizen’ has significantly improved patient waiting times for emergency surgery resulting in a large saving of bed days per annum.

Keywords: Kaizen; surgery; bed days