Strategic use of emergency operating rooms for elective surgery under the TACS code white

Background: Emergency surgery operating rooms (ESORs) are pivotal components of hospital organization, normally used for emergency surgery (time-dependent disease). However, in resource-constrained ESORs could be occasionally utilized to perform elective surgery. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze rationale, risk-benefit, and ethical issues about using ESORs for elective cases. Materials and methods: This study was conducted via evidence-based review and policy analysis based on the current literature and real-world hospital practice. Results: Preliminary institutional data and global experiences show that controlled “Code White” implementation can increase surgical volume by 12–25% and reduce waiting lists without significant delays in emergency response when supported real-time oversight. Conclusion: The “Code White” model may improve system efficiency, but careful monitoring and dynamic scheduling are essential to avoid compromising emergency readiness. Future implementation should be informed by real-world experiences from both high- and low-resource settings.