The hidden cost of
inefficiency in the OR

The operating room is the engine of any surgical department. When it runs well, everyone benefits: patients, physicians, staff — and the center's finances. But when inefficiencies go unchecked, health systems lose time, money, and capacity without even realizing it.

Case 1: Corneal transplants and the value of preloaded grafts

In our study of endothelial keratoplasty — a type of corneal transplant — we examined whether using "preloaded" cornea grafts, prepared by eye banks rather than the surgeon in the OR, changed the cost picture.

Even though preloaded grafts carry a higher upfront cost for the surgery center, the time saved in the OR made them more economical overall. Some payers reimburse for the expense directly, creating a win-win: lower total cost, less surgeon burden, and a cleaner workflow.

Case 2: Pediatric ocular oncology and the true cost of turnover

In pediatric ophthalmology, we analyzed the cost of exams under anesthesia for children with ocular oncology diagnoses. The procedures themselves were relatively brief — but the story in the cost data was more striking.

Turnover time between cases made up a disproportionate share of total cost. Patient transport, room cleaning, setup, and staff transitions — the "non-procedural" time that rarely gets scrutinized — was quietly draining resources at a rate that rivaled the procedures themselves.

Why this matters for health care organizations

OR time is one of the most expensive resources in a health system. But too often, the focus is only on the procedure itself. Our research shows that what happens before and between cases can be just as costly — and more easily fixed.

When delays and inefficiencies go unmeasured, they go unsolved. Whether it's shaving minutes off a corneal transplant or redesigning turnover protocols in pediatric ophthalmology, small changes add up to meaningful gains: better throughput, higher revenue, lower costs, happier teams, and more patients seen.

How EyeQ can help

EyeQ helps health systems map their OR workflows with precision and clarity. We quantify time, cost, and inefficiency across the full surgical episode — and use your own data to its full potential. We show you where delays happen, how much they cost, and which improvements will pay off.