Understanding how human factors can cause errors in the operating theatre

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick White ◽  
Rebecca Helen Grace Lowes ◽  
Anil Hormis
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Operating Theatre

scholarly journals 764 Human Factors in Operative Theatres During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Operating Theatre Staff Experiences in a Regional Centre

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
L E Murchison ◽  
R Anbarasan ◽  
A Mathur ◽  
M Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Operating Theatre ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Theatre Staff

Abstract Introduction In the already high-risk, high-stress environment of the operating theatre, operating during Covid-19 has brought its own unique challenges. Communication, teamwork and anxiety related new operating practices secondary to Covid-19 are hypothesised to have a negative impact on patient care. Method We conducted a single-centre online survey of operating theatre staff from 22nd June–6th July 2020. Respondents completed 18 human factors questions related to COVID-19 precautions including communication, teamwork, situational awareness, decision making, stress, fatigue, work environment and organisational culture. Questions consisted of yes/no responses, multiple choice and Likert items. Kruskall-Wallis tests, Chi-Squared, Mann Whitney U tests, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, lambda and Cramer’s V tests were used. Free-text responses were also reviewed. Results 116 theatre staff responded. Visual (90.5%), hearing/ understanding (96.6%) difficulties, feeling faint/lightheaded (66.4%) and stress (47.8%) were reported. Decreased situational awareness was reported by 71.5% and correlated with visors (r = 0.27 and p = 0.03) and FFP2/3 mask usage (r = 0.29 and p = 0.01). Reduced efficiency of theatre teams was reported by 75% of respondents and 21.5% felt patient safety was at greater risk due to Covid-19 precautions in theatre. Conclusions Organisational adjustments are required, and research focused on development of fit-for-purpose personal protective equipment (PPE).

Assessing Human Factors in the Operating Theatre: Differences in Perceptions within the Surgical Team

2019 ◽  
Vol 229 (4) ◽  
pp. S235-S236
Author(s):  
Anne Sophie van Dalen ◽  
Mitchell Goldenberg ◽  
Teodor P. Grantcharov ◽  
Marlies P. Schijven
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Operating Theatre ◽  
Surgical Team

The introduction of a paediatric ENT and anaesthesia skills course in Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre hospital, (KCMC), Moshi, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
pp. 004947552110166
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Kotwica ◽  
Peter Shija ◽  
Tom Hampton ◽  
David Howard
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Operating Theatre ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Paediatric Surgery ◽  
East African ◽  
Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre ◽  
Working Practices ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Centre Hospital ◽  
Safe Operating

Human factors and a safe operating theatre environment are of paramount importance, wherever surgery is undertaken. The majority of patients in sub-Saharan Africa do not yet have access to safe surgery. The Paediatric ENT Skills and Airway Course introduced and evaluated here was designed to improve outcomes and safety in a typical East African environment. The lectures, tutorials and practicals covered technical and non-technical skills. Responses from pre- and post-course questionnaires were evaluated as an initial surrogate for effectiveness of this course. The latter showed improvement in all taught skills and found universal recommendation. The course had been established to try to minimise morbidity and mortality after paediatric surgery at our institution, KCMC. We encouraged team co-operation in the care of patients, and recommend other centres consider similar courses building on human factors for safer operating theatre working practices.

Human Factors and Non-Technical Skills: Teamwork

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 285-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Roche
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Human Factors ◽  
Human Error ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Operating Theatre ◽  
Safety Critical ◽  
Human Safety ◽  
Environment Research ◽  
Compromise Patient Safety

Making mistakes is part of being human and human error is normal in all areas of life (Bromiley & Mitchell 2009). In some contexts this is of little consequence, but in environments where human safety and well-being are at stake it is vital that such error is minimised. The operating theatre is one such safety critical environment. Research suggests, however, that certain factors predispose to human error. Some or all of these factors may be present in the operating theatre and, therefore, have the potential to compromise patient safety.

An Application of the HFACS Method to Aviation Accidents in Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Munene
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Human Factor ◽  
Flight Training ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Causal Factors ◽  
Aviation Accidents ◽  
Factors Analysis ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
Decision Errors

Abstract. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) methodology was applied to accident reports from three African countries: Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. In all, 55 of 72 finalized reports for accidents occurring between 2000 and 2014 were analyzed. In most of the accidents, one or more human factors contributed to the accident. Skill-based errors (56.4%), the physical environment (36.4%), and violations (20%) were the most common causal factors in the accidents. Decision errors comprised 18.2%, while perceptual errors and crew resource management accounted for 10.9%. The results were consistent with previous industry observations: Over 70% of aviation accidents have human factor causes. Adverse weather was seen to be a common secondary casual factor. Changes in flight training and risk management methods may alleviate the high number of accidents in Africa.

Asiana Airlines Flight 214

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Chow ◽  
Stephen Yortsos ◽  
Najmedin Meshkati
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Aviation Safety ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Cultural Issues ◽  
Flight Crew ◽  
Pilot Performance ◽  
Engineering Designs ◽  
Flight Deck

This article focuses on a major human factors–related issue that includes the undeniable role of cultural factors and cockpit automation and their serious impact on flight crew performance, communication, and aviation safety. The report concentrates on the flight crew performance of the Boeing 777–Asiana Airlines Flight 214 accident, by exploring issues concerning mode confusion and autothrottle systems. It also further reviews the vital role of cultural factors in aviation safety and provides a brief overview of past, related accidents. Automation progressions have been created in an attempt to design an error-free flight deck. However, to do that, the pilot must still thoroughly understand every component of the flight deck – most importantly, the automation. Otherwise, if pilots are not completely competent in terms of their automation, the slightest errors can lead to fatal accidents. As seen in the case of Asiana Flight 214, even though engineering designs and pilot training have greatly evolved over the years, there are many cultural, design, and communication factors that affect pilot performance. It is concluded that aviation systems designers, in cooperation with pilots and regulatory bodies, should lead the strategic effort of systematically addressing the serious issues of cockpit automation, human factors, and cultural issues, including their interactions, which will certainly lead to better solutions for safer flights.

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