Tag: Noise

Study: OR noise raises risk of surgical error

Editor's Note Often exceeding federal safety limits, OR noise contributes significantly to communication breakdowns, heightened cognitive load, and increased surgical errors, according to a review of literature published September 17 in Cureus. Identified noise sources include surgical instruments, alarms, and staff conversations, which can reach up to 120 decibels (dBA)—a…

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By: Matt Danford
September 23, 2024
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First-year analysis of OR Black Box study

Editor's Note In this first-year analysis of a data capture system called the OR Black Box, frequent intraoperative errors, events, variation in surgeons’ technical skills, and a high amount of environmental distractions were identified. In 132 patients having elective laparoscopic general surgery: auditory distractions occurred a median of 138 times…

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By: Judy Mathias
January 2, 2020
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Joint Commission: Quick Safety on noises, distractions in ORs

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on August 16 announced a new Quick Safety that focuses on noise and distractions in the OR and how they can make it difficult to hear and discern information or communicate effectively. ORs are prone to high levels of noise, which can be distracting and…

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By: Judy Mathias
August 17, 2017
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Device filters out noise for ICU patients

Editor's Note Researchers in the departments of anesthesia and biomedical engineering at Vanderbilt University have created a device that removes alarm sounds while preserving an ICU patient’s ability to hear human and environmental stimuli, notably speech. The in-ear device, which is worn by the patient, eliminates alarm sounds from the…

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By: Judy Mathias
June 23, 2017
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Study: Readmission common after emergency general surgery

Editor's Note Readmission after emergency general surgery procedures is common and varies widely according to patient factors and diagnosis, this study finds. Of more than 177,000 patients analyzed, nearly 6% were readmitted within 30 days. The most common reasons were surgical site infections (16.9%), gastrointestinal complications (11.3%), and pulmonary complications…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 16, 2015
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OR noise levels linked with increased risk for error

Noise in the OR, whether it is the sound of loud equipment, talkative team members, or music, is a patient and surgical safety factor that can affect the processing of auditory information by surgeons and other members of the OR team, finds a study. The study is the first to…

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By: OR Manager
July 1, 2013
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Adopting a 'no interruption zone' for patient safety

The time-out is called, but conversations are going on, and the staff is still assembling equipment. No one seems to be listening. Then during the case, the anesthesiologist has trouble hearing over the loud music and chatter. The circulating nurse needs confirmation on a specimen but can’t get the surgeon’s…

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By: OR Manager
February 1, 2013
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Time to tone it down: Strategies for managing noise, distractions

"Our society has become a lot louder, and we tolerate a lot more noise," says Verna Gibbs, MD, director of NoThing Left Behind and professor of clinical surgery, University of California, San Francisco. That includes the OR, where phones, overhead pages, alarms, suction, ventilation equipment, medical devices such as drills,…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
August 1, 2011
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Cell phones are everywhere, but do they belong in the OR?

Cell phone are everywhere including the OR. "Cell phones, especially smart phones, have become ubiquitous in our institution, including the OR," says Robert Cline, MD, medical director of perioperative services at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City Michigan. Nurses list texting as the number one use for their mobile phones…

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By: Cynthia Saver, MS, RN
February 1, 2011
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Tweeting, posting, and Yammering: The role of social media in the OR

When a chef at a local café decided to donate a kidney to a work colleague on dialysis, staff at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit saw a public education opportunity. The public followed the donor and recipient surgery on Twitter, and local media covered the event. "It was a good…

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By: Cynthia Saver, RN, MS
February 1, 2010
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