Otolaryngology Consult Carts: Maximizing Patient Care, Surgeon Efficiency, and Cost Containment.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to develop an otolaryngology consult cart system to ensure prompt delivery to the bedside of all the unique equipment and medications required for emergent and urgent otolaryngology consults.


METHOD
An otolaryngology practice responsible for emergency room and hospital consult coverage sought to create a cart containing all equipment, medications, and supplies for otolaryngology consults. Meetings with hospital administration and emergency room, nursing, pharmacy, central processing, and operating room staff were held to develop a system for the emergent delivery of the cart to the needed location, sterilization and restocking of equipment between uses, and appropriate billing of supplies.


RESULTS
Two months were required from conception to implementation. All equipment was purchased new, including flexible scopes and headlights. The cart is sterilized, restocked, and maintained by central processing after each use. The equipment is available to handle all airway emergencies as well as all common otolaryngology consults and is delivered bedside in less than 5 minutes.


CONCLUSION
The development of a self-contained otolaryngology consult cart requires coordination with a wide variety of hospital departments. This system, while requiring initial monetary and time investment, has resulted in improved patient care, cost containment, and surgeon convenience.
['Royer|Mark C|MC|', 'Royer|Allison K|AK|']
D004180:Direct Service Costs D004282:Documentation D006801:Humans D007196:Indiana D010036:Otolaryngology D010346:Patient Care Management D058996:Quality Improvement D012017:Referral and Consultation
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