Break Barriers to Effective Communication in the OR

During October's OR Manager Conference in Anaheim, Calif., neurosurgeon Betsy Grunch, MD, FAANS, FACS, FCNS, of Longstreet Clinic in Gainesville, Ga., focused on how perioperative teams can better communicate in the OR. She noted that breaking these communication barriers isn't simply a matter of improving workplace culture and the psychological health of perioperative staff, but of patient safety.

Betsy Grunch, MD, FAANS, FACS, FCNS

Dr. Grunch, also known online as @Ladyspinedoc (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook), says this starts with viewing each individual in the perioperative suite, including herself, as a unique individual. It involves empowering each individual to speak up on behalf of the patient without fear of judgment or reprisal. And it requires the surgeon or another member of the OR staff to act steadfastly as a voice of reason and calm when things are potentially going sideways.

Take a deep dive with Dr. Grunch into this existential surgical workplace issue by reading our full report on her talk.