Speaking up: a professional imperative

The Role of Checklists and Human Factors for Improved Patient Safety in Plastic Surgery

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying the article, participants should be able to: 1. Describe the role of human factors and nontechnical skills for patient safety and recognize the need for customization of surgical checklists. 2. Apply encouragement to speaking up and understand the importance of patient involvement for patient safety. 3. Recognize the potential for improvement regarding patient safety in their own environment and take a leading role in the patient safety process. 4. Assess their own safety status and develop measures to avoid unnecessary distraction in the operating room.

SUMMARY

Over the past 20 years, there has been increased attention to improving all aspects of patient safety and, in particular, the important role of checklists and human factors. This article gives a condensed overview of selected aspects of patient safety and aims to raise the awareness of the reader and encourage further study of referenced literature, with the goal of increased knowledge and use of proven safety methods. The CME questions should help indicate where there is still potential for improvement in patient safety, namely, in the field of nontechnical skills.

Health professionals' experiences of tuberculosis cohort audit in the North West of England: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Tuberculosis cohort audit (TBCA) was introduced across the North West (NW) of England in 2012 as an ongoing, multidisciplinary, systematic case review process, designed to improve clinical and public health practice. TBCA has not previously been introduced across such a large and socioeconomically diverse area in England, nor has it undergone formal, qualitative evaluation. This study explored health professionals' experiences of the process after 1515 cases had been reviewed.

DESIGN

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Respondents were purposively sampled from 3 groups involved in the NW TBCA: (1) TB nurse specialists, (2) consultant physicians and (3) public health practitioners. Data from the 26 respondents were triangulated with further interviews with key informants from the TBCA Steering Group and through observation of TBCA meetings.

ANALYSIS

Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using the framework approach.

RESULTS

Participants described the evolution of a valuable 'community of practice' where interprofessional exchange of experience and ideas has led to enhanced mutual respect between different roles and a shared sense of purpose. This multidisciplinary, regional approach to TB cohort audit has promoted local and regional team working, exchange of good practices and local initiatives to improve care. There is strong ownership of the process from public health professionals, nurses and clinicians; all groups want it to continue. TBCA is regarded as a tool for quality improvement that improves patient safety.

CONCLUSIONS

TBCA provides peer support and learning for management of a relatively rare, but important infectious disease through discussion in a no-blame atmosphere. It is seen as an effective quality improvement strategy which enhances TB care, control and patient safety. Continuing success will require increased engagement of consultant physicians and public health practitioners, a secure and ongoing funding stream and establishment of clear reporting mechanisms within the public health system.

The trainee's voice: recognising the importance of preoperative briefings for surgical trainees

Preoperative briefings and the 'time out' component of the WHO surgical safety checklist offer unique opportunities to improve the technical and non-technical skills of surgical trainees. The addition of a training briefing--a succinct adjunct to these processes--offers a novel method by which training opportunities can be maximised and learning needs better understood by theatre staff. However, more training is needed for staff in the use of briefings and checklists to achieve the best possible benefit for trainees and patients.