OR Efficiency Program Improves Joint Arthroplasty Times

Data-driven approach leads to significant reductions in surgical workflow metrics

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting highlights how a data-driven efficiency program can improve key metrics in total joint arthroplasty procedures. The program, which involves detailed time-stamping and analysis of surgical workflows, led to significant reductions in operating room time, incision-to-implant time, incision-to-closure time, and turnover times.

Why it matters

Improving efficiency in orthopedic surgery is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, reducing costs, and increasing hospital throughput. This data-driven approach provides surgeons and hospital administrators with the insights needed to identify and address bottlenecks in the surgical workflow, leading to tangible improvements in key performance indicators.

The details

The study, led by Dr. George N. Guild III of Total Joint Specialists in Atlanta, utilized a cloud-based OR efficiency and analytics program to collect time-stamped data from 106 total hip arthroplasties and 214 total knee arthroplasties. The analysis revealed significant improvements in OR time, incision-to-implant time, incision-to-closure time, and turnover times following the implementation of the efficiency improvement program. The benefits of this approach extend beyond the OR, as it can lead to more streamlined perioperative management and better resource allocation.

  • The study was presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in 2026.

The players

George N. Guild III, MD

An orthopedic surgeon at Total Joint Specialists in Atlanta who champions the concept of 'radical time transparency' in surgical workflows.

1Team Surgical

A cloud-based OR efficiency and analytics program developed by Zimmer Biomet that was used in the study to collect time-stamped data.

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What they’re saying

“When you are able to have radical time transparency, you are able to make improvements in your overall surgical flow and perioperative flow. When you have those time stamps, what gets measured gets improved.”

— George N. Guild III, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, Total Joint Specialists (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The study highlights the potential for predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to further optimize surgical workflows in the future, as these technologies could identify patterns and correlations that human analysts might miss.

The takeaway

This data-driven approach to improving efficiency in orthopedic surgery demonstrates the power of radical transparency and detailed workflow analysis. By identifying and addressing bottlenecks in the surgical process, hospitals and surgical centers can enhance patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase throughput.