Case Study:
Hospital System Improves Utilization of Surgical Lasers Through a Shared Partnership
with Agiliti
Overview
Inova Health System is a nationally recognized network of hospitals that provides a full range of health services to meet the unique requirements of their patient and clinician needs. Inova invested in a new enterprise-wide effort called OneInova to establish process-based measures of quality across the organization. The goal was to standardize protocols that addressed the systematic challenges affecting patient experience, quality of care and nurse satisfaction.
Challenges
At the onset of the implementation of OneInova, the nursing staff identified several challenges with the process and management of their facility-owned and outsourced surgical lasers. These challenges included inconsistent practices with scheduling cases, documentation of surgical laser procedures and equipment utilization. With each facility relying on its own set of practices, there was a lack of coordination around equipment availability, delivery and vendor management. This affected the nursing staff, as they would assume responsibility for the management of surgical lasers in between and during procedures. These challenges resulted in overall nursing dissatisfaction, surgical case delays and increased costs related to the management of Inova’s surgical lasers.
Solution
Agiliti performed an on-site assessment of Inova’s current clinical and operational landscapes surrounding their laser program. After a thorough evaluation of all internal processes, Agiliti delivered a report with specific recommendations to help Inova standardize the management of their lasers and improve the use and efficiency of the equipment between each facility. Following Agiliti’ recommendations, Inova partnered with Agiliti to implement a program to manage all aspects of their surgical lasers with a dedicated, onsite team. The program included:
Standardizing the laser management processes across Inova’s facilities to improve equipment utilization and laser safety
Implementing a consistent scheduling and maintenance process of equipment to increase the accessibility of patient-ready equipment and reduce surgical case delays
Eliminating dual-competing roles for nurses, allowing them to focus on assigned tasks in the OR instead of equipment management
Reallocating equipment within the hospital network based on need and assisting in the removal of end-of-life lasers from Inova’s fleet
Providing a certified, regulatory compliant laser technicians who is responsible for staffing laser cases, transporting equipment and maintaining compliance
Results
The program was a key driver in the success of the OneInova efforts and revealed the following results in the first six months of implementation throughout the system:
Improved Efficiencies
and Regulatory Compliance
“Agiliti scheduling is great. Technicians always arrive on time and are knowledgeable about the impact of OR throughput.”
Increased Nurse
Satisfaction
“Staff is very happy with Agiliti, because they take care of everything equipment related.”
Improved Surgical Equipment Readiness, Preparation and Delivery
“We appreciate Agiliti technicians because they ensure surgical lasers are ready to go, exactly when we need them.”
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Agiliti stands behind the authenticity of this data.
Source: In-person testimony with Agiliti staff
