Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Operating theater (OT) personnel is subject to various distractions and interruptions that can be detrimental to their quality of work and task performance.This study aimed to quantify the frequency, nature of potentially destructing events and measure the noise levels present in the OT during urological procedures.METHODS: Observational data were collected prospectively during urological procedures in a district general hospital by three independent observers.Noise exposure was recorded in OT by commonly available personal noise dosimeter application at preselected location.Data collection started when the patient entered OT from anesthetic room and ended when patient was transferred to the recovery.RESULTS: A total of 86 elective cases (7 open, 79 endoscopic) were included between July and October 2015.Mean operative duration was 51 min.A total of 1960 distracting events occurred with a median of 20 (range:0-120) per procedure.Intra-operative interruptions were on average observed 27.3 times per hour, which corresponds to one distracting event every 2.2 min.Case irrelevant communication distracting surgeon (65.5%) as well as telephone-/ beeper-related disruptions (15.5%) occurred most often.The average distracting events were similar irrespectively of operating surgeons grade (consultant vs. trainee) or type of procedure performed (open vs. endoscopic) (p<0.001).All sound measurements at all times exceeded recommended standards.Median sound levels were 71 dB (range: 56-90.5)per procedure.CONCLUSIONS: Distracting events frequently occur in the OT.Frequent distracting stimuli can create high-level noise environment with ambient sound levels above levels recommended by the World Health Organization.Further research is required to determine the direct effect of distraction on surgeons 0 performance and patient safety.
Source: The Journal of Urology
Authors: Ted Lee, Heiko Yang, David Hanauer, Julian Wan
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medical Services
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2332935927