David Christopher received his medical degrees from  the University of Kentucky and the University of  Virginia. He did his residency and early surgeries at Duke University Medical Center. Eight years ago he set up hisown orthopedic surgery clinic in Atlanta, Georgia. Today,  one other doctor has joined his clinic in  addition to 12 support  personnel such as X-ray technicians, nurses, accounting,and office support. The medical practice specializes in  all orthopedic surgery, except it does not  perform spinal surgery. The clinic has grown to the point where both orthopedic  surgeons are working long hours, and Dr. Christopher is  wondering whether he needs to hire more surgeons.

An orthopedic surgeon is trained in the preservation,  investigation, and restoration of the form and function of  the extremities, spine, and associated structures by medical,  surgical, and physical means. He or she is involved  with the care of patients whose musculoskeletal problems  include congenital deformities; trauma; infections;  tumors; metabolic disturbances of the musculoskeletal  system; deformities; injuries; and degenerative diseases of the spine, hands, feet, knee, hip, shoulder, and elbows in  children and adults. An orthopedic surgeon is also concerned  with primary and secondary muscular problems  and the effects of central or peripheral nervous system  lesions of the musculoskeletal system. Osteoporosis, for example, results in fractures, especially in the hips, wrists,  and spine. Treatments have been very successful in getting  the fractures to heal.

What is the clinic’s current weekly workload?

EXHIBIT 10.12 Orthopedic Surgery Procedure Orthopedic Surgeon One-Week Surgery Workload (These data are available in the Excel worksheet Orthopedic Surgeon Case Data in MindTap) Rotator cuff repair Cartilage knee repair Fracture tibia/fibula Achilles tendon repair ACL ligament repair Fractured hip Fractured wrist Fractured ankle Hip replacement Knee replacement Shoulder replacement Big toe replacement Surgeon Changeover Time (Minutes) 20 20 20 20 0 0 0 20 30 30 40 20 20 20 20 Surgery Time (Minutes) Surgeon Identity 45 30 60 30 60 80 60 70 150 120 180 90 B mmm BBAA