Perhaps operating room governance is our largest impact area?

Abstract

Although it may not seem intuitive, the most valuable contribution most anaesthetists make to a health system daily, regardless of their grade, is the governance of operating room utilisation. It is well known that one of the most expensive resources in any hospital is the operating suite. This area requires expert leadership, most commonly provided by nurses, anaesthesiologists, or surgeons. In South Africa, this role is usually fulfilled by nursing professionals in the private sector, or as a shared responsibility between anaesthesiologists and nursing colleagues in the state sector.