The Operating Theatre Journal - Journal - Page 3
SEPTEMBER
2020
January 2024
SEPTEMBER
2020
SEPTEMBER 2020
THETHE
THE
ISSUE
NO.
360
ISSUE
NO.
400
ISSUE
NO.
360
ISSUE NO. 360
ISSN
0000-000X
ISSN
ISSN
2756-2743
ISSN
0000-000X
ISSN 0000-000X
The Operating Theatre Journal
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The
Leading
Independent
Journal
For
ALL
Operating
Theatre
Sta昀昀
The
Leading
Independent
Print
&
Digital
Journal
For
ALL
Operating
Theatre
Sta昀昀
The
Leading
Independent
Print
&Digital
Digital
Journal
For
ALL
Operating
Theatre
Sta昀昀
The Leading Independent Print & Digital Journal For ALL Operating Theatre Sta昀昀
Keeping an eye on bad behaviour in the
Operating Theatre
Australian researchers have successfully trialled a novel experiment to address offensive and rude comments
in operating theatres by placing ‘eye’ signage in surgical rooms.
The eye images, attached to the walls of an Adelaide orthopaedic hospital’s operating theatre without any
explanation, had the desired effect in markedly reducing poor behaviour among surgical teams.
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Inside this issue
Why managing NHS waiting lists
is about safety, not just
numbers
P2
Keeping an eye on bad behaviour
in the Operating Theatre
P3
Reducing oxygen levels for
children in intensive care will
save lives, new study shows
P4
Surgical operating theatres are renowned for poor behaviour due to high stress levels.
Quantum technology 昀椀rst in
eye disease detection
P5
The three-month experiment was undertaken to address a widespread culture of bullying and poor behaviour
in surgical theatres. So-called “incivility” is prevalent in many industries, including the healthcare sector
and particularly in high-stress and high-pressure environments such as operating theatres.
Navigating Burnout in
Healthcare
Lead researcher University of South Australia Professor Cheri Ostroff attributed the result to a perception of
being “watched”, even though the eyes were not real.
Prof Ostroff says rude and offensive remarks don’t just affect staff morale, wellbeing, and productivity; they
can also have a negative impact on patients.
“Teamwork is critical during surgery. When incivility contributes to poor communication in the operating
theatre, worse outcomes can result,” Prof Ostroff says.
The consequences are far reaching, leading to high staff turnover, low job satisfaction, a drop in productivity
and less compliance with infection control and medication protocols.
Several interventions have been trialled internationally to address the poor behaviour in surgical teams,
including workshops and training sessions, but with limited success.
In the Adelaide study, an initial survey completed by 74 staff at a private hospital – including surgeons,
trainees, nurses, anaesthetists and technicians – asked people to report incidents of bad behaviour in the
operating theatre. A month later, the eye signs were placed. Seven weeks later, a follow up survey was
undertaken.
The impact was signi昀椀cant. Theatre nurses in particular reported a marked drop in observing or experiencing
offensive and rude remarks.
P6-7
Mexborough Elective Orthopaedic
Centre to welcome patients in the
new year, following ribbon
cutting ceremony
P8
Why healthcare data will be the
panacea to NHS challenges
P11
Cambridge University Hospitals
Pioneers NHS Collaboration
with uPerform to Optimise
EPR Education
P12
Rede昀椀ning Cardiac Care in the
Middle East, KFSH&RC
Successfully Performs
Five TPV Replacements
P12
Surgeon Dr Nicholas Wallwork, who took part in the study, says the experiment shows that if people perceive
they are being watched, they will change their behaviour, even subconsciously.
The change in practice of aortic
procedures following the
introduction of hybrid theatre
in a tertiary centre
P14-17
“Rudeness and bullying occur in operating theatres because the stakes are high,” he says. “There are at
least six people working as a team in a con昀椀ned space, under time pressures and with risks involved. A highfunctioning stable team delivers better performance, but due to numerous factors this is sometimes dif昀椀cult
to achieve.”
Evolving heart surgery education
is crucial to equip surgeons
with the skills to match
the technology
P18
“Poor communication is a recognised problem in our industry, and it is not always from the top down, but
across teams.
“The selection and training process is arduous – it takes 10 years to qualify as a surgeon – and it is a very
competitive, intensive, and results-driven environment.”
Complex leadership structures, where surgeons have direct clinical control of the staff during a shift, but are
not line managers outside the operating theatre, lead to con昀氀ict, Dr Wallwork says.
“Unless we change this structure, which is leading to high burnout and frequent staff turnover, we will face
a crisis in the industry.”
She昀케eld researchers boost drive
to national DNA programme
with senior NHS 昀椀gures
signing up as 昀椀rst recruits
P20
A case study detailing the
postoperative recovery of
an elective patient
P22-24
Prof Ostroff says the study showed that poor behaviour can be changed with simple interventions.
Hospital worker praised for actions
during ‘extremely di昀케cult
and emotional’ case
P25
“Changing the workplace culture is important. In many healthcare settings, management are far removed
from the day-to-day workplace stressors, creating a disconnect and lack of understanding.”
Most UK doctors experiencing
moral distress, survey shows
P27
The study identi昀椀ed four areas that need addressing:
Artwork making a di昀昀erence for
patients in new state-of-the-art
Operating Theatre
P29
CODP, Mike Donnellon takes
up o昀케ce as the President
of the College
P29
Google’s New Policies
for Health
P30
KIMS Hospital at the Top
of the Class
P30
• a need for senior management to be role models and emphasise respect in the workplace;
• appreciation and acknowledgement of employees’ value;
• more open communication within teams and between staff and management;
• more clarity in respect to roles
The 昀椀ndings have been published in PLOS ONE.
“Eyes on incivility in surgical teams: teamwork, wellbeing, and an intervention” is published in PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295271. The authors are from the University of South Australia and Sportsmed
Hospital. For a copy of the full paper, email: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au
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Issue 400
January 2024
3