From Backlog to Booked: Accelerating Case Velocity at Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists-FROM BACKLOG TO BOOKED PowerPoint

FROM BACKLOG TO BOOKED PowerPoint - PDF

Pdf Summary

The presentation "From Backlog to Booked: Accelerating Case Velocity," led by Ken Takenaka, outlines the evolution and improvement of a surgical practice facing increased volume, complexity, and external disruptions like staffing shortages and strikes. Historically challenged by delayed scheduling and inefficient resource management, the practice identified the need for accurate, real-time data and streamlined workflows to keep pace with rising demand.<br /><br />Post-implementation of new scheduling and workflow solutions, the practice achieved a threefold increase in scheduling speed, reducing the average time to schedule surgeries from 40 days to 10 days. Notably, 70% of cases were scheduled within one week after deployment. Scheduler productivity rose significantly, with a 32% increase in cases handled per scheduler—from 123 to 162 cases monthly—meaning three schedulers now handle the workload that previously required four. This efficiency contributed to a 12% overall volume growth, despite external challenges such as hospital shutdowns and nursing strikes.<br /><br />Financially, the improvements help mitigate costly cancellations (each costing $5,000–$8,000) and wasted operating room time (valued at $10–$20 per minute). The practice implemented a workflow engine named iQueue to automate patient engagement, sending personalized, timely reminders via SMS, email, and AI phone agents. This proactive approach helps ensure critical pre-surgery clearance from primary care physicians and specialists, reducing delays and enhancing patient care.<br /><br />Staff engagement also improved, with initial skeptics becoming advocates after experiencing the efficiency gains. Overall, the presentation highlights successful adoption of data-driven tools, streamlined scheduling processes, and patient-centric communication strategies that together accelerate case velocity, improve resource use, and support sustained growth in surgical care delivery.

Keywords

case velocity

surgical practice

scheduling speed

workflow automation

iQueue

patient engagement

resource management

staffing shortages

operating room efficiency

data-driven tools