Final answer:
Internal consulting should help the OR supervisor by first identifying the problem and then conducting a thorough analysis. Following the analysis, they should consider both informal and formal approaches or possibly involve a third party if needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the operating room (OR) supervisor is faced with demand that cannot be met, internal consulting should offer a structured plan for developing a solution. This begins with clearly identifying the problem; pinpointing the discrepancy between the demand for operations and the OR's current capacity to meet this demand.
By acknowledging that the situations in medical settings can be complex and require immediate action, internal consultants can better understand the stresses and constraints the OR is facing.
Next, internal consultants should conduct comprehensive analyses of the situation, gathering data on OR usage patterns, peak times, staffing levels, and equipment availability. This involves working collaboratively with local partners and stakeholders who may provide valuable insights. The analysis should also include a review of costs and benefits associated with different potential solutions.
To develop an effective plan, an internal consulting team must consider both formal and informal approaches. If informal efforts have proven insufficient, they may consider involving a neutral third-party to facilitate discussions and bring fresh perspectives.
Moreover, since the OR personnel are faced with urgent and complicated situations, which may hinder the correct application of their knowledge, training modules or procedural updates could be part of the solutions.
Ultimately, the goal of the internal consulting team is to provide recommendations which could range from immediate actions to long-term strategic changes, such as improving scheduling systems, hiring additional staff, optimizing current workflows, or even expanding OR facilities.
These recommendations should result in increasing the OR's capacity to meet demand by more than 35 percent, optimizing resources without incurring additional costs.