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Healthcare Management vocabulary · Hospital Operations

Operating theatre

Meaning in healthcare management, with examples

nounCommon term

In healthcare management, operating theatre means: A specially equipped room in a hospital where surgical operations are carried out; the term is often used for the whole surgical suite.

In Turkish: ameliyathane, ameliyat salonu

How it is used

British English; American English says 'operating room' (OR). In the UK people often just say 'theatre' or 'theatres': theatre list, theatre staff, theatre utilisation. Theatre time is one of the most expensive resources a hospital manages.

Example sentences

  1. Two operating theatres were closed for a week because of a ventilation fault.

  2. Late starts in the operating theatre cost us around five operations a week.

Common collocations

  • operating theatre list
  • theatre utilisation
  • operating theatre staff
  • book an operating theatre
  • electivePlanned in advance rather than done as an emergency, such as a hip replacement that is booked weeks ahead.
  • capacityThe amount of care a hospital or service can provide with its beds, staff, rooms and equipment in a given time.
  • procurementThe process of buying goods and services, such as medicines, equipment and cleaning, from choosing suppliers to agreeing prices and contracts.
  • waiting listA list of patients who are waiting for an appointment, test or operation, usually ordered by clinical priority and the date they were added.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Hospital Operations

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.