Professionals' Attitudes When Making Decisions: The Development of a Triage Model for Unplanned Surgery Queues

This report examines decision-making processes around the scheduling of unplanned surgery. The management of unplanned surgery is a critical and strategic function of operating theatres. It is also an activity that is prone to conflict, and the queuing of patients for theatre time is common. Despite this strategic importance and the operational challenges that are encountered, there remain inherent problems with the current management of unplanned surgery in NSW public hospitals. Consequently, some patient health outcomes may be adversely affected, not only for those in need of unplanned surgery, but also those awaiting elective surgery. This poses a serious concern, implicating personal, social, and economic costs.