Reducing First-Case Surgery Delays

Our group is working with HCA Hospital in Clear Lake for our senior design project. The CEO and COO are concerned with their first case on-time start metric being too low, and they have tasked us with identifying ways to increase this metric to above 75%. We have identified 3 target areas to help combat the delays in surgery. They are to introduce 5S in the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), identify a tracking system for the surgical kits, as well as develop a standardized process for surgeons to request surgeries as well as put in order forms.