Impact of the Federated Data Platform’s digital surgery scheduling system on elective theatre utilisation at an NHS Trust: an interrupted time series analysis
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) Inpatient Care Coordination Solution (CCS) digital scheduling tool on elective theatre utilisation.
Methods: An interrupted time series assessed changes in theatre utilisation and cancellations following tool adoption (January 2022). Weekly data spanned 90 weeks (April 2021 to December 2023). Outcomes included weekly median theatre utilisation (actual, booked, and bookings per session) and the percentage of cancelled bookings. Models incorporated a 5-week lag and estimated level (step-change) and trend (slope) effects.
Results: Post-intervention level and trend increases were observed for booked (β=4.40, P=0.045; β=0.26, P=0.002) and actual (β=3.98, P=0.064; β=0.23, P=0.006) utilisation. Bookings per session showed a significant level increase (β=0.34, P=0.002) with no trend change (β=0.00, P=0.790). Across the post-intervention period, compared with counterfactual estimates, booked and actual utilisation were 15.0% (95% CI: 13.4 to 16.5%, P<0.0001) and 12.2% (95% CI: 10.8 to 13.5%, P<0.0001) higher, while bookings per session were 10.9% (95% CI: 9.5 to 12.4%, P<0.0001) higher. Significant positive effects were observed for Urology, General Surgery, Gynaecology, Plastic Surgery and Ophthalmology. A significant upward trend in cancellation rates was associated with the introduction of the tool (β=2.1, P=0.001).
Discussion: Findings suggest that centralised digital scheduling tools can improve theatre capacity by enabling more efficient use of existing capacity through improved scheduling visibility. Future research should explore differences in speciality-level usage and long-term sustainability of gains.
Conclusion: The introduction of the NHS FDP Inpatient CCS product was associated with improved elective theatre utilisation.
Methods: An interrupted time series assessed changes in theatre utilisation and cancellations following tool adoption (January 2022). Weekly data spanned 90 weeks (April 2021 to December 2023). Outcomes included weekly median theatre utilisation (actual, booked, and bookings per session) and the percentage of cancelled bookings. Models incorporated a 5-week lag and estimated level (step-change) and trend (slope) effects.
Results: Post-intervention level and trend increases were observed for booked (β=4.40, P=0.045; β=0.26, P=0.002) and actual (β=3.98, P=0.064; β=0.23, P=0.006) utilisation. Bookings per session showed a significant level increase (β=0.34, P=0.002) with no trend change (β=0.00, P=0.790). Across the post-intervention period, compared with counterfactual estimates, booked and actual utilisation were 15.0% (95% CI: 13.4 to 16.5%, P<0.0001) and 12.2% (95% CI: 10.8 to 13.5%, P<0.0001) higher, while bookings per session were 10.9% (95% CI: 9.5 to 12.4%, P<0.0001) higher. Significant positive effects were observed for Urology, General Surgery, Gynaecology, Plastic Surgery and Ophthalmology. A significant upward trend in cancellation rates was associated with the introduction of the tool (β=2.1, P=0.001).
Discussion: Findings suggest that centralised digital scheduling tools can improve theatre capacity by enabling more efficient use of existing capacity through improved scheduling visibility. Future research should explore differences in speciality-level usage and long-term sustainability of gains.
Conclusion: The introduction of the NHS FDP Inpatient CCS product was associated with improved elective theatre utilisation.
Date Issued
2026-03-12
Date Acceptance
2026-02-19
Citation
BMJ Health & Care Informatics, 2026, 33 (1)
ISSN
2632-1009
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
BMJ Health & Care Informatics
Volume
33
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. Re-use permitted under CC BY- NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ Group.
License URL
Identifier
10.1136/bmjhci-2025-101949
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
101949
Date Publish Online
2026-03-12