Public service strike. Effects on operating room management and training at a surgical university clinic

Background. In 2006 the longest strike so far in the German health service occurred. Contrary to most hospitals in public authorities, the medical doctors of the University Hospital of Homburg/Saar did not participate in the strike, leading to pronounced tensions between patients, strikers and medical staff. Material and methods. The effect of the strike on operating room (OR) management, medical personnel resource planning, and surgical training were compared with the remaining period of the year 2006. Results. Elective surgical procedures were accomplished significantly more frequently by more qualified surgeons, leading to shorter OR time; surgical training was performed significantly less. The rate of emergency operations and the care of tumor patients increased significantly during the strike. Conclusion. Surgical training was neglected during the strike. Transferring non-job-related tasks to medical doctors and expanding their working time allowed optimal utilization of the limited resources.