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Abstract

Background: Operating theatres are heavily budgeted departments in health facilities. Theatre turnaround time (TAT) is used as one modality in determining the efficiency of health service delivery. Factors that correlate with TAT in the Kenyan setting are largely unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the factors affecting turnaround time in Kenyatta National Hospital's main theatres. Methods:This was a descriptive observational study done in September and October 2021. Data on personnel, surgical, equipment, consumable and infrastructural factors was collected. A structured questionnaire was administered both physically and digitally. Bivariate chi-square tests of association and multinomial logistic regression were used to evaluate the nature of the associations between the various factors and TAT.Results: There was a significant relationship between personnel, surgical, equipment, and consumable factors with TAT (p < 0.05). These included: prolonged nursing handover time (p = 0.000), staff shortage (p = 0.039), lack of support from theatre managers (p = 0.020), the urgency of surgery (p = 0.025), lack of blood (p = 0.000) and inadequacy in the supply of drapes and gowns (p = 0.019). There was availability of anesthesia machines (0.019), drugs (p = 0.041), stretchers, and wheelchairs (p = 0.022) reducing TAT. Others findings were unreliability of electricity (p = 0.011) and oxygen supply (P = 0.023) and difficulty accessing main theatres from the surgical wards and ICU (p = 0.000). Conclusion:It is hoped that the study findings can be used to address the multiple factors affecting TAT and surgical patient service delivery.