Anesthetic assistants spend up to about 20% of the procedure out of the room to run blood gases. This then equates to a staggering 40 minutes out of a four-hour operation. Operations most definitely cannot afford that kind of loss. A number of factors can contribute to these delays. Limitation in the number of devices could cause tests to pile up. The required analyzers could be unavailable due to maintenance or calibrations. Unavoidable human faults such as distractions or multi-tasking (such as preparing for the next procedure) could also influence the time spent on getting results.

Missing assistants can have grave repercussions in the performed procedure. Anesthesiologists have to rely on other junior assistants to perform during critical moments. Morbidity and mortality increase in possibility because of disruptions during surgery and specific roles being delegated to less familiar team members. Communication failure due to not speaking to the right person greatly diminishes patient safety. An incomplete CVOR team can put the patient in additional and unnecessary danger.