Strategic Scheduling of Anesthesia Cases Saves Money

To reduce the costs of hiring contract physicians and optimize their time, a Gastrointestinal Unit UBT set a goal to increase the percentage of anesthesia cases from 70 to 90 percent on days physicians are scheduled. They scheduled doctors to perform anesthesia four days a week instead of five, and scheduled nurses to perform sedation (which does not require a physician). They strategically scheduled patients requiring anesthesia on the days physicians are available. The team’s scheduling strategy succeeded, saving $113,000 in a 10-month span.

Here's What Worked

• Scheduling doctors to perform anesthesia only (which requires a physician) four days a week, instead of five
• Scheduling nurses to perform sedation (which does not require a physician)
• Scheduling patients requiring anesthesia on the days physicians are available

What can your team do to save time and lower costs in your department? What else could your team do to be more strategic?