Factors influencing delays and overtime during surgery: a descriptive analytics for high volume arthroplasty procedures

The aim of this article is to analyze factors influencing delays and overtime during surgery. We utilized descriptive analytics and divided the factors into three levels. In level one, we analyzed each surgical metrics individually and how it may influence the Surgical Success Rate (SSR) of each operating day. In level two, we compared up to three metrics at once, and in level three, we analyzed four metrics to identify more complex patterns in data including correlations. Within each level, factors were categorized as patient, surgical team, and time specific. Retrospective data on 788 high volume arthroplasty procedures was compiled and analyzed from the 4-joint arthroplasty operating room at our institution. Results demonstrated that surgical team performance had the highest impact on SSR whereas patient metrics had the least influence on SSR. Additionally, beginning the surgical day on time has a prominent effect on the SSR. Finally, the experience of the surgeon had almost no impact on the SSR. In conclusion, we gathered a list of insights that can help influence the re-allocation of resources in daily clinical practice to offset inefficiencies in arthroplasty surgeries.