Simulation of processes in the operating room: How standard operating procedures and their simulation improve patient safety
Dr. med. Christian Schmidt MPH
The topic of patient safety has become very important to the population in recent months due to numerous press releases. The risk of errors increases, especially in highly technical work environments, such as the operating room, and with new team structures, such as when moving into a new building. The aim of the study was therefore to develop and evaluate a training program for moving into new buildings that reduces the risk of errors. For this purpose, standardized processes (SOP) were defined, visualized and first discussed with all employees and then simulated in the new building. Before and after the training, the employees were surveyed using questionnaires. As a result of the training, knowledge is improved and team collaboration is improved. Finally, the rate of errors is also significantly reduced. Aviation training programs, such as SOP and simulation, help improve patient safety and team collaboration. They should be part of everyday life in improving patient safety. The topic of patient safety has become very important to the population in recent months due to numerous press releases. The risk of errors increases, especially in highly technical work environments, such as the operating room, and with new team structures, such as when moving into a new building. The aim of the study was therefore to develop and evaluate a training program for moving into new buildings that reduces the risk of errors. For this purpose, standardized processes (SOP) were defined, visualized and first discussed with all employees and then simulated in the new building. Before and after the training, the employees were surveyed using questionnaires. As a result of the training, knowledge is improved and team collaboration is improved. Finally, the rate of errors is also significantly reduced. Aviation training programs, such as SOP and simulation, help improve patient safety and team collaboration. They should be part of everyday life when improving patient safety.
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First publication date: 19.08.2008
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Abstract: Simulation von Prozessen im OP: Wie Standard Operating Procedures und deren Simulation die Patientensicherheit verbessern
Das Thema Patientensicherheit hat in der Bevölkerung in den letzten Monaten durch zahlreiche Pressemeldungen einen hohen Stellenwert erreicht. Vor allem in hoch technisierten Arbeitsumgebungen, wie dem OP, und bei neuer Teamstruktur, wie bei einem Neubaubezug, nimmt das Fehlerrisiko zu. Ziel der Studie war es daher, ein Trainingsprogramm für den Neubaubezug zu entwickeln und zu evaluieren, welches das Fehlerrisiko senkt. Dazu wurden standardisierte Prozesse (SOP) definiert, visualisiert und mit allen Mitarbeitern zunächst durchgesprochen und dann im Neubau simuliert. Vor und nach den Trainings wurden die Mitarbeiter mit Fragebögen befragt. Als Ergebnis der Schulungen werden die Kenntnisse verbessert und die Zusammenarbeit im Team verbessert. Schließlich wird auch die Rate an Fehlern signifikant reduziert. Trainingsprogramme aus der Luftfahrt, wie SOP und Simulation, helfen, die Sicherheit für Patienten und die Zusammenarbeit im Team zu verbessern. Sie sollten zum Alltag in der Verbesserung der Patientensicherheit gehören.
Abstract: Simulation of processes in the OR: How Standard Operating Procedures and their simulation improve patient safety
Due to various articles much attention has been drawn to patient safety during the last months. Potential errors occur more often in high technology working environments like operating rooms and with staff members in new teams. This situation occurs when a clinic moves into a new hospital. Training of staff included definition of processes as standard operating procedures (SOP), visualization of the processes and feedback of all staff members. Finally all processes were simulated in the new building. Evaluation was done with questionnaires. Results show that knowledge, confidence and team performance improved significantly. Finally the rate of mistakes was also reduced significantly. These trainings were adapted from aviation. They help increasing patient safety and should therefore be part of standard training in medicine.
Keywords (German)
New building, Patient safety, Simulation, Standard Operating Procedures
Keywords (English)
Additional Information
- Issue: MVF 04/08 Publication Date: 19.08.2008 All issues as PDF Subscribe to print magazine Order single issue Open Access