Appropriate utilization of the operating room (ORs) requires a balance of many conflicting resources. This cannot be done without an understanding of the role of the OR in the finances of the institution, the missions of the institution, the actual data concerning utilization and costs. Economics of the OR environment have changed dramatically in the past 10 years. For example, technological advances have led to the introduction and advancement of minimally invasive surgical procedures, which are purported to decrease morbidity, reduce hospital length of stay, and improve outcome. However, many of these procedures actually increase OR cost, time and supplies. The increased costs of minimally invasive surgery would not have been a problem in the past, due to the additional costs would have been easily adsorbed because of the large profit margin associated with surgical procedure. Under the implementation of the NHI, the DRG, capitated payment, and global budget, it is not surprising that this area is earmarked by many hospitals as a place to reduce expenses. Therefore, all of us working in the OR must be cost efficient and maximize productivity for long-term success. Accurate estimation of operating times is a prerequisite for the efficient scheduling of the operating suite. In this study, authors sought to compare surgeons¡¦ time estimates for elective cases and to ascertain whether improvements could be made by statistical modeling. The study was conducted in the GYN department at the VGHKS from 2000, Jan. to 2003, June. Author calculates operation time distribution (lognormal) and variance, and operation time finishing probability, costs, and comparing operating time difference between surgeons.

Introduktion: Grundläggande för operationssjukvård är att kunna använda sina händer för att utföra god specialistsjukvård och omvårdnad av patienten. Att drabbas av eksem på händer, handleder, underarmar eller urtikaria till följd av kontaktallergi kan medföra att händernas funktion påverkas. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka prevalensen av självrapporterade handeksem, urtikaria och möjliga riskfaktorer hos verksamma operationssjuksköterskor och kirurger samt identifiera statistiska samband hos respondenterna. Metod: Studien genomfördes med kvantitativ metod. Data samlades in via elektroniska enkäter. Sammanlagt samlades 150 enkäter in. För statistisk bearbetning och analys användes ett statistiskt dataprogram. Resultat: Förekomst av eksem på händer, handleder eller underarmar vid något tillfälle självrapporterades av 44% av respondenterna, varav 24% upplevt eksem de senaste två åren. Uppkomst av urtikaria på händer, handleder eller underarmar vid något tillfälle självrapporterades av 28,7% respondenter. En högre andel av de som självrapporterat eksem och urtikaria hade också åtminstone en övrig allergi. Konklusion: I studien framkom att nästan var femte personal på operationsavdelningar inom Region Östergötland hade haft handeksem någon gång under de senaste två åren. Denna siffra är i enighet med tidigare forskning, dock är bortfallet i denna undersökningsgrupp för stort för att kunna generalisera resultatet. / Introduction: To be able to use your hands to carry out perioperative care and nursing is fundamental. To suffer from eczema on your hands, wrists, forearms or urticaria as a consequence of contact allergy, can affect the function of the hands. Aim: The aim of the study was to research the prevalence of self-reported hand eczema, urticaria and risk factors among working operating room nurses and surgeons in the region of Östergötland and to identify statistical relations among the respondents. Method: The study was carried out with a quantitative method. Data was gathered through electronic questionnaires. A total of 150 questionnaires were collected. For statistical processing and analyse, a statistic computer program were used. Result: Prevalence of eczema on hands, wrists and forearms at any time were self-reported among 44% of the respondents, and 24% had experienced eczema during the last two years. Experience of urticaria on hands, wrists and forearms at any time were reported by 28,7% respondents. A greater amount of the respondents who self-reported eczema and urticarial also described at least one additional allergy. Conclusion: The study showed that almost every fifth personnel on the surgical ward in the region of Östergötland, had self-reported hand eczema at some time during the two last years. Former research has shown similar data, but the number of non-respondents were too high to be able to generalize the result of this study.

The aim of the work: The aim of this thesis is to provide detailed information about organization and operation of today's operating rooms from nurse´s point of view. Operational treatment requires high demands on technical and material equipment, special staff training, perfect adherence to asepse, antisepsis, sterility as well as work organization. The thesis should also introduce the most urgent problems of the current situation of the operating rooms management. The most recent discoveries and proven methods are summarized in a simple and comprehensible form that will serve as a guide for perioperative nurses. Method: Qualitative research methods in the form of a semi-structured interview have been used. This thesis will use the qualitative survey method in the form of a semistructured interview along with snowball sampling. The research consists of respondents with finished specialization in instrumentation for the operating room who are still active in the given field. Current status: The organization and operation room management consists of two functional models. These are so called "sideline sterilization" versus central operating rooms. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages related to workload, general nursing education, and operating rooms management. However, the least preferred option is a combination of both perioperative operations. Results: The results of the research focused on the centralization and operating rooms management show that "sideline sterilization" is considered an obsolete model of tool sterilization for operating rooms. The results also show that the model of central operating rooms with the combination of central sterilization is more modern and efficient both in terms of expenses and effort, not just for nurses but for all healthcare professionals. Conclusion: In accordance with the aim of this work the issue of centralization of operating rooms is pointed out, considering both the construction with the necessity to follow all known procedures in compliance with aseptic conditions, as well as the need of good management or nurse education. The results can be used for further research and as a further source of information for non-medical fields, mainly perioperative care.