Survey: Perioperative leaders adapt to supply strain, staffing pressure, ASC growth

Editor's Note

Perioperative leaders are reshaping how surgical care is delivered, making pragmatic adjustments in the face of supply shortages, staffing constraints, and shifting surgical volume toward ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Together, the latest three OR Manager pulse polls reveal a profession managing high stakes with a mix of caution, creativity, and operational grit.

In June, respondents described how tariffs and persistent supply chain disruptions are driving delays, substitutions, and tighter product standardization. Nearly half said tariffs had already influenced purchasing decisions, while every respondent reported frequent supply shortages that strained case readiness and staff morale. Leaders overwhelmingly chose collaboration with surgeons and supply chain teams as their best path through shortages, emphasizing continuity of care over cancellation.

By July, attention shifted to labor costs. Nearly eight in ten respondents said they adjusted staffing models or cross-trained team members to keep labor budgets in check. Many offered voluntary low-census days, while only a handful invested in retention incentives. When tested with scenarios, respondents favored long-term fixes like cross-training over short-term overtime caps or bonus programs, showing even when forced into reactive measures, leaders value sustainable strategies. Float pools and predictive scheduling remain underutilized, but most saw structured onboarding and reference tools as critical for making flexible staffing work.

August’s poll spotlighted the ongoing migration of cases to ASCs, with 82% citing orthopedics as the most significant volume shift. Leaders reported rising demand for anesthesia, stretched case criteria, and mounting strain on preoperative clearance. Two-thirds said they feel moderately prepared to handle more complex cases but acknowledged the stress it brings. Staffing remains siloed, with most sites still keeping ASC and inpatient pools separate. Case scenarios showed cautious judgment: respondents consistently kept higher risk patients in the inpatient OR while reserving ASC space for healthier candidates.

Taken together, the three polls point to a clear narrative. Supply shortages are forcing perioperative teams to get creative, staffing models are being reworked to stretch limited dollars, and ASC growth is redefining where and how procedures take place. Leaders are not waiting passively. They are recalibrating workflows, leaning on collaboration, and weighing safety carefully as they balance growth with resource limits.