Evaluating the effect of distractions in the operating room on clinical decision-making and patient safety

Source: Surgical Endoscopy [Epub ahead of print]

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Date of publication: February 2016

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  Answering telephone calls and pagers is common distraction in the operating room. This study sought to evaluate the impact of distractions on patient care by (1) assessing the accuracy and safety of responses to clinical questions posed to a surgeon while operating and (2) determining whether pager distractions affect simulation-based surgical performance.

The study found that distractions in the operating room may have a profound impact on patient safety on the wards. While multitasking in a simulated setting, the majority of residents made at least one unsafe clinical decision. Pager distractions also hindered surgical residents’ ability to complete a simulated laparoscopic task in the allotted time without affecting other variables of surgical performance.

Length of publication:  6 pages

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library

Closing the gate before the horse bolts: a new approach to patient safety

Source:  The Health Foundation

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Date of publication:  May 2013

Publication type:  Blog post

In a nutshell:  A blog post by Elaine Maxwell that considers whether care is any safer today than it was in 2001 when the National Patient Safety Agency was established.

Length of Publication:  1 web page

Assessment and accreditation system improves patient safety

Source: Nurs Manag (Harrow)  Vol/iss  19/7  pp29-33.

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Date of publication:  November 2012

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The Nursing Assessment and Accreditation System was introduced by Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust in 2008. It is a ward-based performance assessment framework, designed to foster a culture of safety by helping nurses monitor the quality of care. Based on the trust’s “Safe, Clean and Personal Every time” approach to service provision, it is intended to support attention to safety and quality improvement, to ensure patients are placed at the centre of care services.

Length of publication: 5 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

The role of the ward manager in promoting patient safety

Source: British Journal of Nursing  Vol/iss  21/19  pp1144-9.

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Date of publication:  October-November 2012

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: The article discusses the pivotal importance of the role of the ward manager in delivering services to patients and it looks at literature on patient safety to identify what a ward manager can do to make care safer. The challenge of promoting patient safety for ward managers is explored and recommendations for further research are made.

Length of publication: 6 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

A qualitative exploration of patients’ attitudes towards the ‘Participate Inform Notice Know’ (PINK) patient safety video

Source:  International Journal for Quality in Health Care, Advance access doi: 10.1093/intqhc/mzs073

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Date of publication:  November 2012

Publication type:  Journal article

In a nutshell:  The authors looked at the PINK (‘Participate Inform Notice Know’) video, an educational tool designed to increase hospital patients’ involvement in patient safety activities. Interviews with patients from one hospital found that people responded well to the short video, that it raised their awareness about patient safety and encouraged them to be more involved in their hospital care. It was thought that the video could be improved by tailoring it more to the individual circumstances of patients and by including a wider range of content.

Some important notes:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Nurse-led ward rounds: a valuable contribution to acute stroke care

Source: British Journal of Nursing  Vol/iss  21/13  pp801-5

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Date of publication: July 2012

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This article looks at an example of how the Imperial College Healthcare Trust improved stroke care by setting up a team to carry out nurse-led ward round.  This team focussed specifically on nursing goals, issues and looking at stroke outcome measures.  This has lead to improved communication between the nursing staff and patients, empowering nurses and improving patient care and safety.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Checking in healthcare safety: theoretical basis and practical application

Source: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance  Vol 28 Iss 8 p699-707

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Date of publication: December 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: A literature review to increase understanding of healthcare checking procedures.  Checking procedures are carried out many times during a patient’s stay in hospital. These procedures are both written (official guidance) and unwritten practices.  The author states that more thorough checking in specific errors e.g. bedside checking, could prevent adverse events.

Length of publication: 8 pages

Some important information:  Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article.  Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Acknowledgement: MEDLINE

Death rates better – but some Trusts still too high

Source: BBC News

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Date of publication: 28 November 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: This article looks at the results of a survey into the patient care in England, especially the death rates.  It highlights the fact that Trusts which need to improve in this area to ensure there is equality of care especially for those less well off.  The article also provides comments from hospital staff regarding the usefulness of these results.

Length of publication: 1 web page

Acknowledgement: Dr Foster’s Hospital guide 2010