Sharon-Marie Weldon1, Terhi Korkiakangas1,2, Jeff Bezemer2, Roger Kneebone3. 1. Department of Cancer and Surgery, Imperial College London, UK. 2. Institute of Education, University College, London, UK. 3. Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, UK.
Abstract
AIMS: To observe the extent and the detail with which playing music can impact on communication in the operating theatre. BACKGROUND: According to the cited sources, music is played in 53-72% of surgical operations performed. Noise levels in the operating theatre already exceed World Health Organisation recommendations. There is currently a divide in opinions on the playing of music in operating theatres, with few studies conducted and no policies or guidance provided. DESIGN: An ethnographic observational study of teamwork in operating theatres through video recordings. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis approaches were used. METHODS: This study was conducted between 2012-2013 in the UK. Video recordings of 20 operations over six months in two operating theatres were captured. The recordings were divided into music and non-music playing cases. Each case was logged using a request/response sequence identified through interactional analysis. Statistical analysis, using a χ(2) , explored the difference between the proportion of request repetitions and whether music was playing or not. Further interactional analysis was conducted for each request repetition. RESULTS: Request/response observations (N = 5203) were documented. A chi-square test revealed that repeated requests were five times more likely to occur in cases that played music than those that did not. A repeated request can add 4-68 seconds each to operation time and increased tensions due to frustration at ineffective communication. CONCLUSIONS: Music played in the operating theatre can interfere with team communication, yet is seldom recognized as a potential safety hazard. Decisions around whether music is played and around the choice of music and its volume, are determined largely by surgeons. Frank discussions between clinicians, managers, patients and governing bodies should be encouraged for recommendations and guidance to be developed.
AIMS: To observe the extent and the detail with which playing music can impact on communication in the operating theatre. BACKGROUND: According to the cited sources, music is played in 53-72% of surgical operations performed. Noise levels in the operating theatre already exceed World Health Organisation recommendations. There is currently a divide in opinions on the playing of music in operating theatres, with few studies conducted and no policies or guidance provided. DESIGN: An ethnographic observational study of teamwork in operating theatres through video recordings. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis approaches were used. METHODS: This study was conducted between 2012-2013 in the UK. Video recordings of 20 operations over six months in two operating theatres were captured. The recordings were divided into music and non-music playing cases. Each case was logged using a request/response sequence identified through interactional analysis. Statistical analysis, using a χ(2) , explored the difference between the proportion of request repetitions and whether music was playing or not. Further interactional analysis was conducted for each request repetition. RESULTS: Request/response observations (N = 5203) were documented. A chi-square test revealed that repeated requests were five times more likely to occur in cases that played music than those that did not. A repeated request can add 4-68 seconds each to operation time and increased tensions due to frustration at ineffective communication. CONCLUSIONS: Music played in the operating theatre can interfere with team communication, yet is seldom recognized as a potential safety hazard. Decisions around whether music is played and around the choice of music and its volume, are determined largely by surgeons. Frank discussions between clinicians, managers, patients and governing bodies should be encouraged for recommendations and guidance to be developed.
Authors: Philip Hepp; Carsten Hagenbeck; Julius Gilles; Oliver T Wolf; Wolfram Goertz; Wolfgang Janni; Percy Balan; Markus Fleisch; Tanja Fehm; Nora K Schaal Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2018-11-03 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Victor X Fu; Pim Oomens; Vincent E E Kleinrensink; Karel J Sleurink; Willemijn M Borst; Pascale E Wessels; Johan F Lange; Gert-Jan Kleinrensink; Johannes Jeekel Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2020-10-07 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: Jeff Bezemer; Alexandra Cope; Terhi Korkiakangas; Gunther Kress; Ged Murtagh; Sharon-Marie Weldon; Roger Kneebone Journal: BMJ Qual Saf Date: 2016-12-09 Impact factor: 7.035