Enhancing surgical safety using digital multimedia technology

Jennifer L. Dixon, Dhriti Mukhopadhyay, Justin Hunt, Daniel Jupiter, William R. Smythe, Harry T. Papaconstantinou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1095-1098
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Surgery
Volume211
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Multimedia
  • Patient safety
  • Surgical safety
  • Technology
  • Time-out

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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