Measuring intra-operative interference from distraction and interruption observedin the operating theatre

Authors: Healey, A.; Sevdalis, N.; Vincent, C.

Source: Ergonomics, Volume 49, Numbers 5-6, -6/15 April–15 May 2006 , pp. 589-604(16)

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Abstract:

An observational tool was developed to record distraction and interruption in the operating theatre during surgery. Observed events were assigned to pre-defined categories and rated in relation to the level of team involvement – the sum of which was treated as a measure of intra-operative interference. Many events (0.29 ± 0.02 per min) were observed and rated in 50 general operations sampled from a single operating theatre. The rating of individual events (r s = 0.65) and of cases (r s = 0.89) correlated between independent observers. Interference levels (1.04 ± 0.07/min) also correlated with door opening frequency (0.68 ± 0.03/min) (r = 0.47, p

Keywords: Operating theatre; Surgery team; Distraction; Interruption; Performance; Safety

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00140130600568899

Affiliations: 1: Clinical Safety Research, Imperial College, University of London, Department of Biosurgery and Technology, 10th Floor QEQM, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, Paddington, London, W2 1NY, UK

Publication date: 2006-01-01

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