Leading in Development of Productive Operating Theatre

Tallaght Hospital (AMNCH) is leading the way in the development of the Productive Operating Theatre. While its shortened name “T Pot” may conjure up images of tea and scones, nothing could be further from the truth. AMNCH is one of the first hospitals in the country to introduce this internationally recognised initiative to improve the quality and safety of surgical services.

Cait Tobin explains: “The staff in AMNCH’s theatre care passionately about our patients and our staff are on board in relation to this new initiative. T Pot is a tool to empower staff to take control of the operating theatre and design it in a way that suits the needs of the patient, while at the same time reflecting the team’s needs.”

Results from other international sites that have used the system found significant improvements in a number of key areas:

• improving start time and turnaround
• improving session uptake and utilisation
• a reduction in time wasted searching for equipment
• introduction of real time operational status boards to help co-ordinate staff and lists
• improved rates of pain control in recovery
• introduction of briefing and debriefing

AMNCH is one of five sites chosen by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland for this pilot project. The initiative is backed by the HSE.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Laoise O'Murchu, Communications and Public Relations Manager, AMNCH: (01) 414 5918 or (087) 2802840