Factors impacting on-time transfer to the operating room in patients undergoing peripheral nerve blocks in the preoperative area

Study ObjectivesTo assess the on-time transfer to the operating room (OR) when peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) are performed prior to surgery.DesignProspective time motion study.SettingPreoperative area of a university medical center.Patients650 candidates for PNBs for postoperative analgesia.InterventionPatients were allocated to two groups: a control group (no PNB performed) and a PNB group (PNBs performed).Measurement TimeThe time required to perform each of the steps leading to transfer to the OR was recorded.Main ResultsOn-time transfer was achieved in 40% and 49% in the blocked (n = 549) and control groups (n = 101), respectively (P = 0.067, one-sided). Surgery-related delays represented the most important causes of delays (51.9% in the control group and 53.8% in the PNB group). The average time required to perform the blocks was 21 minutes (20-22 min). This time varied with the type and number of blocks performed (12-30 min). Performing PNBs accounted for 15.1% of delays.ConclusionsPerforming PNBs prior to surgery in the preoperative area takes additional time. This time needs to be considered in optimizing on-time transfer to the OR.