What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Review. Population: Operational efficiency in operating theatres (n=15). Intervention: Technological and process-improvement strategies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, artificial intelligence). Primary outcome: Operational efficiency indicators (turnover time, surgical delays, theatre room idle time).

What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify and map the technological and management strategies that enhance operational efficiency in operating theatres.

July 2, 2026

Technologies and management strategies for improving operational efficiency in operating theatres: A scoping review

Key Result

A scoping review of 15 studies found that strategies like Lean Six Sigma and artificial intelligence improved operating theatre efficiency indicators such as turnover time and surgical delays.

Key Points

To identify and map the technological and management strategies that enhance operational efficiency in operating theatres.
Scoping review utilizing Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Conducted literature searches in major databases and grey literature sources.
Included studies from the last 5 years focusing on technologies for operational efficiency.
Fifteen studies identified, primarily from the United States (40%).
Key strategies included lean six sigma, scheduling automation, and digital communication platforms.
Improvements noted in turnover time, surgical delays, and theatre room idle time.

Structured PICO

Do technological and process-improvement strategies improve operational efficiency in operating theatres?

Population

15 studies published within the last 5 years addressing technologies and management practices to improve operational efficiency in operating theatres.

Intervention

Strategies, technologies and management practices including Lean Six Sigma, scheduling automation, digital communication platforms and artificial intelligence

Outcome

Operational efficiency indicators including turnover time, surgical delays and theatre room idle time

Technological and process-improvement strategies such as Lean Six Sigma and artificial intelligence show potential to optimize operating theatre performance and resource use.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To map strategies, technologies and management practices reported in the literature that contribute to improving operational efficiency in operating theatres. METHOD: A scoping review conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Searches were conducted in March 2025 in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL and the Virtual Health Library, as well as grey literature sources including Google Scholar and the CAPES. Studies published within the last 5 years addressing technologies to improve operational efficiency were included. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included (11 articles and 4 theses/dissertations), most of which were conducted in the United States (40%). Identified strategies included Lean Six Sigma, scheduling automation, digital communication platforms and artificial intelligence, demonstrating improvements in indicators such as turnover time, surgical delays and theatre room idle time. CONCLUSION: Technological and process-improvement strategies show potential to optimise operating theatre performance and support safer, more efficient use of health care resources.

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