Jennifer L Dixon1, Dhriti Mukhopadhyay1, Justin Hunt1, Daniel Jupiter1, William R Smythe1, Harry T Papaconstantinou2. 1. Department of Surgery, Baylor Scott & White Healthcare, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX, 76503, USA. 2. Department of Surgery, Baylor Scott & White Healthcare, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, 2401 South 31st Street, Temple, TX, 76503, USA. Electronic address: hpapaconstantinou@sw.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine whether incorporating digital and video multimedia components improved surgical time-out performance of a surgical safety checklist. METHODS: A prospective pilot study was designed for implementation of a multimedia time-out, including a patient video. Perceptions of the staff participants were surveyed before and after intervention (Likert scale: 1, strongly disagree to 5, strongly agree). RESULTS: Employee satisfaction was high for both time-out procedures. However, employees appreciated improved clarity of patient identification (P < .05) and operative laterality (P < .05) with the digital method. About 87% of the respondents preferred the digital version to the standard time-out (75% anesthesia, 89% surgeons, 93% nursing). Although the duration of time-outs increased (49 and 79 seconds for standard and digital time-outs, respectively, P > .001), there was significant improvement in performance of key safety elements. CONCLUSION: The multimedia time-out allows improved participation by the surgical team and is preferred to a standard time-out process.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine whether incorporating digital and video multimedia components improved surgical time-out performance of a surgical safety checklist. METHODS: A prospective pilot study was designed for implementation of a multimedia time-out, including a patient video. Perceptions of the staff participants were surveyed before and after intervention (Likert scale: 1, strongly disagree to 5, strongly agree). RESULTS: Employee satisfaction was high for both time-out procedures. However, employees appreciated improved clarity of patient identification (P < .05) and operative laterality (P < .05) with the digital method. About 87% of the respondents preferred the digital version to the standard time-out (75% anesthesia, 89% surgeons, 93% nursing). Although the duration of time-outs increased (49 and 79 seconds for standard and digital time-outs, respectively, P > .001), there was significant improvement in performance of key safety elements. CONCLUSION: The multimedia time-out allows improved participation by the surgical team and is preferred to a standard time-out process.