Assessing complications from the use of trailer operating rooms in single-staged renovations

Renovations of an operating room can result in compromised care and loss of revenue. The objective of this study is to determine if Trailer Operating Rooms (TOR) are associated with increased complication rates and/or decreased productivity during renovations of Main Operating Rooms (MOR). Exposure was defined as MOR or TOR. Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) observed and expected counts of perioperative morbidity and mortality were compared. Complication rates, from a prospective database, and case volume between TOR and MOR were analyzed. Mortality was higher for vascular surgery in TOR vs. MOR but not in any other specialties. Higher all-cause morbidity was noted in two of the nine surgical specialties in the TOR period. There was no significant difference in rates of surgical site infection (SSI) or venous thromboembolism (VTE) between groups. The average total cases per month was significantly higher in MOR compared to TOR (326.8±49.6 vs. 275.1±22.9, p<0.001) as were the VASQIP eligible cases (183.7±28.4 vs. 155.0±14.6, p<0.001). TORs are efficient and safe for providing continuity of surgical care during renovation or emergency. Further studies are required to assess whether the decrease in case load is truly attributable to the mobile platform.