E-ISSN 2367-699X | ISSN 2367-7414
 

Original Research

Online Publishing Date:
16 / 02 / 2021

 


Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies

Neil J. White, Sarah L. Reitzel, Todd I. Weinstein, Tina L. Samuel.


Abstract
Background: Effective teamwork is highly reliant on both technical and non-technical skills (such as communication, decision making and situational awareness). In healthcare, the role of non-technical skills fails to take priority and can hinder a team’s performance.

Methods: Our objective was to determine the effectiveness and efficacy of delivering a full-day professional development symposium focused on communication strategies and culture building to the operating room staff at a hospital with over 250 acute beds. A prospective, observational cohort study including all members of the operating room was designed. Improvement was measured through an anonymous, voluntary, web-based survey and surrogate metrics of improved communication and positive work culture (staff turnover, sick days and spending).

Results: 82 participants completed at least one survey. At three months post-symposium, more than 60% of participants noticed that their colleagues made active efforts to communicate positively and effectively in their interactions (p = 0.009). At this same interval, staff reported a reduction in common challenges routinely encountered in the operating room. Sick days fell from 622 in the year preceding the symposium to 218 in the year following the symposium. Staff turnover fell from nine to two in that same interval while OR spending was reduced by 4.2%.

Interpretation: Results from our cohort suggest that a focused, professional development symposium with emphasis on communication strategies may improve operating room culture and yield both cost savings and improved patient care. More quality-controlled research with a rigorous study design is needed to assess the impact of communication training in an OR setting.

Key words: professional development, communication strategies, surgical teams, operating rooms


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

White NJ, Reitzel SL, Weinstein TI, Samuel TL. Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies. Int J Surg Med. 2021; 7(2): 14-19. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture


Web Style

White NJ, Reitzel SL, Weinstein TI, Samuel TL. Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies. https://www.ejos.org/?mno=115529 [Access: February 20, 2024]. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

White NJ, Reitzel SL, Weinstein TI, Samuel TL. Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies. Int J Surg Med. 2021; 7(2): 14-19. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

White NJ, Reitzel SL, Weinstein TI, Samuel TL. Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies. Int J Surg Med. (2021), [cited February 20, 2024]; 7(2): 14-19. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture



Harvard Style

White, N. J., Reitzel, . S. L., Weinstein, . T. I. & Samuel, . T. L. (2021) Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies. Int J Surg Med, 7 (2), 14-19. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture



Turabian Style

White, Neil J., Sarah L. Reitzel, Todd I. Weinstein, and Tina L. Samuel. 2021. Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies. International Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 7 (2), 14-19. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture



Chicago Style

White, Neil J., Sarah L. Reitzel, Todd I. Weinstein, and Tina L. Samuel. "Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies." International Journal of Surgery and Medicine 7 (2021), 14-19. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

White, Neil J., Sarah L. Reitzel, Todd I. Weinstein, and Tina L. Samuel. "Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies." International Journal of Surgery and Medicine 7.2 (2021), 14-19. Print. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

White, N. J., Reitzel, . S. L., Weinstein, . T. I. & Samuel, . T. L. (2021) Improving Operating Room Culture and Efficiency through Professional Development and Implementation of Communication Strategies. International Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 7 (2), 14-19. doi:10.5455/ijsm.Improving-Operating-Room-Culture