Development of the OptiSurge System for Surgical Times Measuring at Alma Máter de Antioquia Hospital

Surgery represents approximately 60% of hospital revenue. However, improving service performance is challenging without a proper description of the problems to address. This study aimed to develop a surgical time measurement tool to identify the utilization rate of operating rooms and the compliance with the surgical schedule, thereby enhancing service performance. The research followed four stages: problem analysis and definition, innovation process using design thinking, solution design, and system testing in the surgical service. After 10 days of implementation, operating room utilization was 75.71%, and compliance with the surgical schedule ranged between 61.2% and 75.5%. The semi-automated units showed an error margin between 0.11% and 0.32%, while fully automated units had errors of 14.24% and 27.75% (electrosurgical unit and movement unit in the anesthesia machine, respectively). A tool was designed, focusing on nine key surgical moments: patient entry and exit, start and end of room preparation, surgery, anesthesia, and cleaning. While overall system performance was good, the accuracy of automated units could be improved. This system may represent the beginning of an innovative and easy-to-use technology to identify surgical problems and enhance hospital performance in Colombia.