Maximizing Efficiency and Reducing Robotic Surgery Costs Using the NASA Task Load Index

Roles, experience and views of nurses working in robotic surgery settings: A mixed-methods study

Robotic-assisted surgery has benefits for patients, but there are challenges to working in this field. In Turkey, training is not provided for nurses working in robotic-assisted surgery, and national legislation on nurses' roles in these settings has not been implemented. This study aimed to demonstrate the roles and experiences of nurses in robotic-assisted surgery in Turkey. This study was conducted as a mixed-methods research. The qualitative data were analysed by content analysis. More than half of the nurses had received basic training in robotic-assisted surgery. Qualitative data consisted of five themes, including the effects of robotic surgery, feelings and thoughts on robotic surgery, working as a nurse in robotic surgery settings, responsibilities of nurses and competence of nurses working in robotic surgery settings. Determining the working conditions and roles of nurses working in robotic-assisted surgery settings by policymakers in regulations is crucial for improving the quality of nursing care and the outcomes of patients.

Examining workload variations among different surgical team roles, specialties, and techniques: a multicenter cross-sectional descriptive study

BACKGROUND

A high workload may negatively impact the surgical team's performance and jeopardize patient safety. The aim of this study was to measure the workload of the surgical team across different surgical roles, specialties, and techniques in several hospitals.

METHODS

This cross-sectional multicenter study was performed in the operating rooms of eight teaching hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. At the conclusion of each surgical procedure, all members of the surgical team completed the Surgery Task Load Index (SURG-TLX) questionnaire to assess workload levels. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlations, were performed to compare surgical roles, specialties, techniques, and surgical time on workload overall and by subscale.

RESULTS

A total of 409 workload questionnaires were obtained from 76 surgical teams or cases, involving 346 surgical team members. The total workload among all participants was 32.41 ± 17.21. Surgical complexity, physical demands, and mental demands were the highest workload subscales and distraction was the lowest workload subscale. Cardiovascular specialty had a higher workload compared to other specialties. Open techniques resulted in a higher workload compared to minimally invasive techniques. Surgical technologists who act in both the role of circulating and scrub nurse (C&Ss) experienced the highest workload, followed by surgical residents and surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study showed that the workload for some members of the surgical team is disproportionately high and is influenced by factors such as specialty, technique, role, and surgical duration. By knowing the distribution of workload among the members of the surgical team, efforts can be made to optimize the team members' workload.

Clinical Issues - March 2023

Conversion to an open procedure Key words: laparoscopic procedure, open procedure, emergent conversion, open procedure cart, preoperative briefing. Excess absorption of fluid distension media Key words: fluid distension media, arthroscopy, transurethral resection (TUR) syndrome, fluid extravasation, fluid intravasation. Hysteroscopic fluid deficit thresholds Key words: maximum fluid deficit, hysteroscopy, hypotonic solution, isotonic solution, distension media. Alternative insufflation gases Key words: carbon dioxide (CO2 ), nitrous oxide (N2 O), insufflation, gas distension media, pneumoperitoneum.

Analysis of Operating Room (OR) Efficiency During Robotic-Assisted Urologic Surgeries Utilizing Fixed (Nonprocedural) Operative Times

Objective: To analyze operating room (OR) efficiency by evaluating fixed OR times for three common urologic robotic-assisted procedures. Methods: Over a 24-month period, we prospectively collected intraoperative data for 635-consecutive robotic-assisted surgeries. Fixed (nonprocedural) OR times were evaluated for robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) (n=146), robotic-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) (n=77), and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) (n=412). Fixed OR times were defined as nonprocedural time in the OR, including: in room time to anesthesia release time (IRAT), anesthesia release to cut time (ARCT), in room time to cut time (IRCT; IRAT + ARCT), and close time to wheels out time (CTWO). The effects of surgery time of day and the number of anesthesia personnel (AP) present in surgery on fixed OR times were also analyzed. Results: Fixed OR times occupied 15.1% (IQR: 12.9%-17.1%) (RARC), 26.6% (22.9%-30.8%) (RAPN), and 20.1% (17.4%-23.1%) (RARP) of total OR time. Time of day did not have a negative effect on fixed OR times for robotic urologic surgeries. Median AP count was highest for RARC (median: 3, range: 1-7). We did not find any association between AP count and fixed OR times for any of the procedures (P≥0.19). Conclusions: Fixed OR times made up a significant percentage of total OR time for robotic-assisted procedures and should be incorporated into OR efficiency analyses. The number of AP per case and time of day of surgery did not negatively impact fixed OR times in urologic robotic surgeries.

Implementation of a triage nurse role and the effect on hospitalist workload

OBJECTIVES

Hospital medicine groups vary staffing models to match available workforce with expected patient volumes and acuity. Larger groups often assign a single hospitalist to triage pager duty which can be burdensome due to frequent interruptions and multitasking. We introduced a new role, the Triage nurse, to hold the triage pager and distribute patients. We sought to determine the effect of this Triage Nurse on the perceived workload of hospitalists and frequency of pages.

METHODS

We partnered with our patient throughput department to implement the Triage Nurse role who took the responsibility of tracking and distributing admissions among three admitting physicians along with coordinating report. We used the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) to measure perceived workload and accessed pager logs of admitters for 3 months before and after implementation.

RESULTS

Overall, 50 of an expected 67 NASA-TLX surveys (74.6%) were returned in the pre-intervention period and 64 of 92 (69.6%) were returned in the post-intervention period. We found a statistically significant reduction in the domains of physical demand, temporal demand, effort and frustration from pre- to post-intervention periods (p < 0.01). There was also a significant decrease in the performance domain (p = 0.01) with a lower number indicative of better perceived performance. There was a significant reduction in the mean number of pages received by admitting hospitalists over their 9-h shifts (81.3 + 17.3 vs 52.4 + 7.3; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The implementation of the Triage Nurse role was associated with a significant decrease in the perceived workload of admitting hospitalists. Our findings are important because workload and interruptions can contribute to errors and burnout. Future studies should test interventions to improve hospitalist workload and evaluate their effect on patient outcomes and physician wellness.

Non-Technical Skill Assessment and Mental Load Evaluation in Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery

BACKGROUND: Sensor technologies and data collection practices are changing and improving quality metrics across various domains. Surgical skill assessment in Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (RAMIS) is essential for training and quality assurance. The mental workload on the surgeon (such as time criticality, task complexity, distractions) and non-technical surgical skills (including situational awareness, decision making, stress resilience, communication, leadership) may directly influence the clinical outcome of the surgery. METHODS: A literature search in PubMed, Scopus and PsycNet databases was conducted for relevant scientific publications. The standard PRISMA method was followed to filter the search results, including non-technical skill assessment and mental/cognitive load and workload estimation in RAMIS. Publications related to traditional manual Minimally Invasive Surgery were excluded, and also the usability studies on the surgical tools were not assessed. RESULTS: 50 relevant publications were identified for non-technical skill assessment and mental load and workload estimation in the domain of RAMIS. The identified assessment techniques ranged from self-rating questionnaires and expert ratings to autonomous techniques, citing their most important benefits and disadvantages. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the systematic research, only a limited number of articles was found, indicating that non-technical skill and mental load assessment in RAMIS is not a well-studied area. Workload assessment and soft skill measurement do not constitute part of the regular clinical training and practice yet. Meanwhile, the importance of the research domain is clear based on the publicly available surgical error statistics. Questionnaires and expert-rating techniques are widely employed in traditional surgical skill assessment; nevertheless, recent technological development in sensors and Internet of Things-type devices show that skill assessment approaches in RAMIS can be much more profound employing automated solutions. Measurements and especially big data type analysis may introduce more objectivity and transparency to this critical domain as well. SIGNIFICANCE: Non-technical skill assessment and mental load evaluation in Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery is not a well-studied area yet; while the importance of this domain from the clinical outcome's point of view is clearly indicated by the available surgical error statistics.