GAP DUTY Shannon Welch, CST, (left) and Debora Shirley, purchasing and central sterile manager, put up stock and break down boxes during a break in the action at the Gainesville Surgery Center.FILL IN THE GAPS
Turn Downtime Into Productive Time
Turn those unavoidable gaps between surgeries into productive time by giving your staff mini-projects to complete. So-called "gap duties" need to be completed, but they don't have a hard deadline. Gap duties might include:
put up stock | break down boxes |
clean bugs out of lamps | replace light bulbs |
hose down scrub mats | clean OR boots |
check sharp boxes | check supplies and meds for out-dates |
compile charts in the business office | audit charts |
Andy Whitener, MSPT, MBA
Gainesville (Ga.) Surgery Center
[email protected]