Noise, Distractions, and Hazards in the Operating Room

Lucille B Brunker; Kendall J Burdick; Madison C Courtney; Joseph J Schlesinger; Christy J Crockett

doi:10.1016/j.aan.2024.07.009

Noise, Distractions, and Hazards in the Operating Room

Adv Anesth. 2024 Dec;42(1):115-130. doi: 10.1016/j.aan.2024.07.009. Epub 2024 Aug 17.

Authors

Lucille B Brunker¹, Kendall J Burdick², Madison C Courtney³, Joseph J Schlesinger⁴, Christy J Crockett⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 21st Avenue South, Suite 422, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.
² Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
³ Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 21st Avenue South, Suite 422, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, 2200 Children's Way, Suite 3116, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

PMID: 39443045
DOI: 10.1016/j.aan.2024.07.009

Abstract

Anesthesiologists are perioperative leaders of patient and health care team safety. The anesthesiologist needs to remain vigilant in the perioperative setting and while caring for patients. The ability to navigate increased noise levels, distractions, and hazards is crucial for maintaining a safe environment. While some noise, such as music, can have benefits, overall noise levels can distract from patient care and have adverse effects on patient care and intraoperative staff. This study provides an overview of noise, distractions, and hazards in the perioperative environment.

Keywords: Distractions; Hazards; Music therapy; Noise; Operating room; Patient safety; Quality improvement.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anesthesiologists
Attention
Humans
Noise* / adverse effects
Noise* / prevention & control
Operating Rooms* / methods
Patient Safety