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Koch A, Quartucci C, Buchner A, Schlenker B, Becker A, Catchpole K, Weigl M. Associations of flow disruptions with patient, staff, and process outcomes: a prospective observational study of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies. Surg Endosc 2023; 37:6964-6974. [PMID: 37336845 PMCID: PMC10462499 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-023-10162-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Technological advancements in the operating room (OR) have sparked new challenges for surgical workflow, OR professionals, and patient safety. Disruptive events are frequent across all surgical specialties, but little is known about their effects on patient outcomes and the influence of systemic factors. The aim was to explore the associations of intraoperative flow disruptions (FDs) with patient outcomes, staff workload, and surgery duration. METHODS Prospective, single-center, and multi-source study comprising direct and standardized OR observations of urologic surgical procedures, clinical patient outcomes, and staff- and patient-reported outcome data (PROMs; 3-month follow-up). All data were recorded between 01/2020 and 10/2021. FDs were assessed using standardized procedure observations. Linear and logistic regression analyses including multiple system factors were used to explore the effects of FDs on surgical outcomes. RESULTS 61 robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy procedures were captured (with 61 patients and 243 staff reports). High rates of FDs were observed; however, our analyses did not show significant relationships with patient complication rates. Equipment- and patient-related FDs were associated with increased staff workload. No association was found between higher rates of FDs and procedure duration. CONCLUSIONS FDs were not related to inferior patient outcomes. Our findings may inform future OR investigations that scrutinize the complex interplay of human, team, process, and technological components that mitigate the effects of FDs during surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelie Koch
- Institute for Patient Safety, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Caroline Quartucci
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Institute for Occupational Health and Product Safety, Environmental Health, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Buchner
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Boris Schlenker
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Armin Becker
- Department of Urology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ken Catchpole
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA
| | - Matthias Weigl
- Institute for Patient Safety, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Ehrlich Z, Shapira SS, Sroka G. Effects of wide-angle laparoscopy on surgical workflow in laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Surg Endosc 2023:10.1007/s00464-023-10230-7. [PMID: 37365393 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-023-10230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Laparoscopy is now the gold standard approach to many surgical procedures thanks to its many advantages. Minimizing distractions is essential to a safe and successful surgery and an undisrupted surgical workflow. The SurroundScope, a wide angle (270°) laparoscopic camera system has the potential to decrease surgical distractions and increase workflow. METHODS Forty-two laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed by a single surgeon, 21 with the SurroundScope and 21 with standard angle laparoscope. Video recordings of surgeries were reviewed for calculating the number of entries of surgical tools into the field of view, relative time of tools and ports viewed in surgical field and number of times camera was removed due to fog or smoke. RESULTS The usage of the SurroundScope resulted in a significantly lower number of entries to the field of view compared to the standard scope (58.50 versus 102; P < 0.0001). Usage of SurroundScope resulted in a significantly higher appearance ratio of tools, with a value of 1.87 compared to 1.63 for standard scope (P-value < 0.0001), and the appearance ratio of ports was also significantly higher, measuring 1.84 compared to 0.27 for the standard scope (P-value < 0.0001). In addition, the SurroundScope had to be removed and reinserted due to smoke or fog in only 2 cases (9.5%), compared to 12 cases (57.1%) in the standard scope group (P-value < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The SurroundScope camera system improves surgical workflow in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This conceivably increase the safety of the operation due to the utilization of the wide-angle view and "chip on the tip" technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zvi Ehrlich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shaare Zedek Medical Centre, Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | | | - Gideon Sroka
- Department of Surgery, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Luger T, Bonsch R, Seibt R, Krämer B, Rieger MA, Steinhilber B. Intraoperative active and passive breaks during minimally invasive surgery influence upper extremity physical strain and physical stress response-A controlled, randomized cross-over, laboratory trial. Surg Endosc 2023:10.1007/s00464-023-10042-9. [PMID: 37084097 PMCID: PMC10120511 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-023-10042-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigate the effect of passive, active or no intra-operative work breaks on static, median and peak muscular activity, muscular fatigue, upper body postures, heart rate, and heart rate variability. BACKGROUND Although laparoscopic surgery is preferred over open surgery for the benefit of the patient, it puts the surgeons at higher risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders especially due to the less dynamic and awkward working posture. The organizational intervention intraoperative work break is a workplace strategy that has previously demonstrated positive effects in small-scale intervention studies. METHODS Twenty-one surgeons were exposed to three 90-min conditions: no breaks, 2.5-min passive (standing rest) or active (targeted stretching and mobilization exercises) breaks after 30-min work blocks. Muscular activity and fatigue of back, shoulder and forearm muscles were assessed by surface electromyography; upper body posture, i.e., spinal curvature, by inclination sensors; and heart rate and variability (HRV) by electrocardiography. Generalized estimating equations were used for statistical analyses. This study (NCT03715816) was conducted from March 2019 to October 2020. RESULTS The HRV-metric SDNN tended to be higher, but not statistically significantly, in the intervention conditions compared to the control condition. No statistically significant effects of both interventions were detected for muscular activity, joint angles or heart rate. CONCLUSION Intraoperative work breaks, whether passive or active, may counteract shoulder muscular fatigue and increase heart rate variability. This tendency may play a role in a reduced risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and acute physical stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessy Luger
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Eberhard Karls University and University Hospital Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Rosina Bonsch
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Eberhard Karls University and University Hospital Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
- Plastic, Reconstructive and Burn Surgery, Clinic for Hand, BG Clinic Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstraße 95, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robert Seibt
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Eberhard Karls University and University Hospital Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard Krämer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Tübingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Monika A Rieger
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Eberhard Karls University and University Hospital Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Benjamin Steinhilber
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine and Health Services Research, Eberhard Karls University and University Hospital Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
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Intraoperative dynamics of workflow disruptions and surgeons' technical performance failures: insights from a simulated operating room. Surg Endosc 2022; 36:4452-4461. [PMID: 34724585 PMCID: PMC9085674 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-021-08797-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Flow disruptions (FD) in the operating room (OR) have been found to adversely affect the levels of stress and cognitive workload of the surgical team. It has been concluded that frequent disruptions also lead to impaired technical performance and subsequently pose a risk to patient safety. However, respective studies are scarce. We therefore aimed to determine if surgical performance failures increase after disruptive events during a complete surgical intervention. METHODS We set up a mixed-reality-based OR simulation study within a full-team scenario. Eleven orthopaedic surgeons performed a vertebroplasty procedure from incision to closure. Simulations were audio- and videotaped and key surgical instrument movements were automatically tracked to determine performance failures, i.e. injury of critical tissue. Flow disruptions were identified through retrospective video observation and evaluated according to duration, severity, source, and initiation. We applied a multilevel binary logistic regression model to determine the relationship between FDs and technical performance failures. For this purpose, we compared FDs in one-minute intervals before performance failures with intervals without subsequent performance failures. RESULTS Average simulation duration was 30:02 min (SD = 10:48 min). In 11 simulated cases, 114 flow disruption events were observed with a mean hourly rate of 20.4 (SD = 5.6) and substantial variation across FD sources. Overall, 53 performance failures were recorded. We observed no relationship between FDs and likelihood of immediate performance failures: Adjusted odds ratio = 1.03 (95% CI 0.46-2.30). Likewise, no evidence could be found for different source types of FDs. CONCLUSION Our study advances previous methodological approaches through the utilisation of a mixed-reality simulation environment, automated surgical performance assessments, and expert-rated observations of FD events. Our data do not support the common assumption that FDs adversely affect technical performance. Yet, future studies should focus on the determining factors, mechanisms, and dynamics underlying our findings.
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Cohen TN, Wiegmann DA, Kanji FF, Alfred M, Anger JT, Catchpole KR. Using flow disruptions to understand healthcare system safety: A systematic review of observational studies. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2022; 98:103559. [PMID: 34488190 PMCID: PMC11194701 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review provides information on the methodologies, measurements and classification systems used in observational studies of flow disruptions in clinical environments. The PRISMA methodology was applied and authors searched two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) for studies meeting the following inclusion criteria: (a) were conducted in a healthcare setting, (b) explored systems-factors leading to deviations in care processes, (c) were prospective and observational, (d) classified observations, and (e) were original research studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Thirty studies were analyzed and a variety of methods were identified for observer training, data collection and observation classification. Although primarily applied in surgery, comparable research has been successfully conducted in other venues such as trauma care, and delivery rooms. The findings of this review were synthesized into a framework of considerations for conducting rigorous methodological studies aimed at understanding clinical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara N Cohen
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Surgery, 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite G-555, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, USA.
| | - Douglas A Wiegmann
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Engineering, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Falisha F Kanji
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Department of Surgery, 8687 Melrose Ave., Suite G-555, West Hollywood, CA, 90069, USA
| | - Myrtede Alfred
- University of Toronto, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, 5 King's College Road, M5S 3G8 (MB114) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer T Anger
- University of California San Diego, Department of Urology, 9400 Campus Point Drive, # 7897 La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ken R Catchpole
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Storm Eye Building, Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
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Yan M, Wang M, Al-Hakim L. Barriers to reporting near misses and adverse events among professionals performing laparoscopic surgeries: a mixed methodology approach. Surg Endosc 2021; 35:7015-7026. [PMID: 33398582 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-020-08215-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The literature has investigated barriers to reporting adverse events in surgery, but with less emphasis on near misses. No attempt was made to categorise near misses by type and reportability. This paper attempts to fill these two gaps in the literature. METHODS A mixed methodology approach was adopted. A sample of 16 laparoscopic surgeries were observed followed by a questionnaire distributed among professionals dealing with laparoscopies. Non-parametric tests and mediation-moderation analysis were used to compare responses and identify causal factors. RESULTS A total of 469 near misses were observed, and classified into two categories: reportable events and common events. Among 23 observed reportable events, only 9 events were reported. Out of 300 distributed questionnaires, we received 178 valid responses (response rate 59%). The professionals strongly disagreed that reporting near misses (Mean 4.09, STD 0.95) and adverse events (4.17, 1.02) makes little contribution to the quality of surgery. However, the results show that professionals were more willing to disclose adverse events than near misses, Heavy workload, privacy, lack of support, and fear from disciplinary actions negatively affected professionals' willingness to report near misses. DISCUSSION Error reporting should aim to promote safety, knowledge sharing and education. It is important to differentiate near misses that should be reported from voluntary reported events. Hospital's management might award professionals who frequently report errors and provide solutions, Quality rather than quantity of reports should be emphasised with flexibility in the way near misses are reported. CONCLUSION The outcome of this study has benefits of understanding the attitudes of surgical professionals towards error reporting. It provides healthcare management with tool for enhancing safety and providing suitable training for their professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Latif Al-Hakim
- School of Management and Enterprise, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia.
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Effects of surgical flow disruptions on surgeons' resources: a pilot study. Surg Endosc 2020; 34:4525-4535. [PMID: 31720810 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-019-07239-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Minimally invasive surgery requires surgeons to allocate more attention and efforts than open surgery. A surgeon's pool of resource is affected by the multiple occurrences of interruptions and distractions in the operating room. Surgical flow disruption has been addressed from a quantitative perspective. However, little is known on its impact on the surgeons' physiological resources. METHODS Three physiological markers, heat flux (HF), energy expenditure in metabolic equivalent of tasks and galvanic skin response were recorded using body sensor monitoring during the 21 surgical operations. The three markers, respectively, represent: stress, energy mobilization and task engagement. A total of 8 surgeons with different levels of expertise (expert vs. novice) were observed performing 21 surgical procedures categorized as short versus long. Factors of distractions were time-stamped, and triangulated with physiological markers. Two cases illustrate the impact of surgical flow disruptions on the surgeons. RESULTS The results indicate that expert surgeons' mental schemata are better organized than novices. Additionally, the physiological markers indicate that novice surgeons display a higher HF at the start (tendency p = .059) and at the end of procedures (p = .001) when compared to experts. However, during longer procedures, expert surgeons have higher HF at the start (p = .041) and at the end (p = .026), than at the start and end of a short procedure. CONCLUSION Data collected during this pilot study showed that interruptions and disruptions affect novice and expert surgeons differently. Surgical flow disruption appears to be taxing on the surgeons' mental, emotional and physiological resources; as a function of the length and nature of the disruptions. Several training curricula have incorporated the use of virtual reality programs to train surgeons to cope with the new technology and equipment. We recommend integrating interruptions and distractions in virtual reality training programs as these impact the surgeons' pool of resources.
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Koch A, Burns J, Catchpole K, Weigl M. Associations of workflow disruptions in the operating room with surgical outcomes: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. BMJ Qual Saf 2020; 29:1033-1045. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-010639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundPerformance in the operating room is an important determinant of surgical safety. Flow disruptions (FDs) represent system-related performance problems that affect the efficiency of the surgical team and have been associated with a risk to patient safety. Despite the growing evidence base on FDs, a systematic synthesis has not yet been published.ObjectiveOur aim was to identify, evaluate and summarise the evidence on relationships between intraoperative FD events and provider, surgical process and patient outcomes.MethodsWe systematically searched databases MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO (last update: September 2019). Two reviewers independently screened the resulting studies at the title/abstract and full text stage in duplicate, and all inconsistencies were resolved through discussion. We assessed the risk of bias of included studies using established and validated tools. We summarised effects from included studies through a narrative synthesis, stratified based on predefined surgical outcome categories, including surgical process, provider and patient outcomes.ResultsWe screened a total of 20 481 studies. 38 studies were found to be eligible. Included studies were highly heterogeneous in terms of methodology, medical specialty and context. Across studies, 20.5% of operating time was attributed to FDs. Various other process, patient and provider outcomes were reported. Most studies reported negative or non-significant associations of FDs with surgical outcomes.ConclusionApart from the identified relationship of FDs with procedure duration, the evidence base concerning the impact of FDs on provider, surgical process and patient outcomes is limited and heterogeneous. We further provide recommendations concerning use of methods, relevant outcomes and avenues for future research on associated effects of FDs in surgery.
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Relationships Between Expertise, Crew Familiarity and Surgical Workflow Disruptions: An Observational Study. World J Surg 2019; 43:431-438. [PMID: 30280222 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-018-4805-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teamwork is an essential factor in reducing workflow disruption (WD) in the operating room. Team familiarity (TF) has been recognized as an antecedent to surgical quality and safety. To date, no study has examined the link between team members' role and expertise, TF and WD in surgical setting. This study aimed to examine the relationships between expertise, surgeon-scrub nurse familiarity and WD. METHODS We observed a convenience sample of 12 elective neurosurgical procedures carried out by 4 surgeons and 11 SN with different levels of expertise and different degrees of familiarity between surgeons and SN. We calculated the number of WD per unit of coding time to control for the duration of operation. We explored the type and frequency of WD, and the differences between the surgeons and SN. We examined the relationships between duration of WD, staff expertise and surgeon-scrub nurse familiarity. RESULTS 9.91% of the coded surgical time concerned WD. The most frequent causes of WD were distractions (29.7%) and colleagues' interruptions (25.2%). This proportion was seen for SN, whereas teaching moments and colleagues' interruptions were the most frequent WD for surgeons. The WD was less high among expert surgeons and less frequent when surgeon was familiar with SN. CONCLUSIONS The frequency of WD during surgical time can compromise surgical quality and patient safety. WD seems to decrease in teams with high levels of surgeon-scrub nurse familiarity and with development of surgical expertise. Favoring TF and giving feedback to the team about WD issues could be interesting ways to improve teamwork.
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Al-Hakim L, Wang M, Xiao J, Gyomber D, Sengupta S. Hierarchical task analysis for identification of interrelationships between ergonomic, external disruption, and internal disruption in complex laparoscopic procedures. Surg Endosc 2019; 33:3673-3687. [DOI: 10.1007/s00464-018-06656-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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