1OR and Ambulatory Director, Security Forces Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia M.sc Science in Healthcare Management
2Group Director of Nursing EHC, Saudi Arabia M.sc Science in Healthcare Management
3Group Supervisor of Nursing research and evidence-based EHC, Saudi Arabia MSc in Health Research and Social science
American Journal of Nursing Research.
2026,
Vol. 14 No. 2, 37-43
DOI: 10.12691/ajnr-14-2-3
Copyright © 2026 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Talal A. Al-Zaharani, Nahed G. Aldossary, Maryam A. Alkhalaf. Optimizing Surgical Access for Patients: A Systematic Review of Operating Room Coordination Strategies.
American Journal of Nursing Research. 2026; 14(2):37-43. doi: 10.12691/ajnr-14-2-3.
Correspondence to: Maryam A. Alkhalaf, Group Supervisor of Nursing research and evidence-based EHC, Saudi Arabia MSc in Health Research and Social science. Email:
manar555@hotmail.comAbstract
Background: Timely access to surgical care remains a global challenge. Inefficient operating rooms (ORs) result in prolonged wait times, cancellations, and wasted resources. This study highlights effective strategies to optimize OR coordination. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Five databases—PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL—were searched for English-language studies published between 2013 and 2025, including key earlier works. Results: The studies included (n = 34) were grouped into a few main themes related to improving the operating room. Six studies focused on scheduling and planning strategies, including models for resource allocation and optimization. Five studies examined workforce-related factors, including staffing levels, workload, and nursing competencies, while an additional five studies focused on coordination and communication within surgical teams. Four studies examined digital and AI-driven methods, which are a growing yet still emerging field. Three studies examined lean and process improvement methods. The remaining studies (n = 11) examined broader issues, including patient safety, surgical outcomes, and organizational performance. Conclusion: Strategies to coordinate ORs can increase efficiency and access. However, no single approach is universally effective. For Saudi hospitals, a customized model incorporating Lean principles, digital innovations, extended hours, and team engagement is most promising. Recommendations: Policymakers are encouraged to consider standardizing operating room performance metrics across hospitals and piloting extended evening and weekend operating lists at tertiary centers to maximize capacity and access. These efforts could be supported by routine monitoring, expanded Lean training programs for sustained improvement, and decisive investment in integrated digital and AI-driven scheduling tools aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
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