Accident prevention in surgical settings--keeping patients safe.
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The captain of the ship doctrine, which has been interpreted to mean that the surgeon's mere presence in the OR subjects him or her to legal liability for everyone's negligence in that room (akin to the responsibility of the captain of a ship who is held responsible for everything that happens on that ship), emerged in 1949 and grew in popularity through the 1950s. The major reason for this doctrine's popularity was that injured patients were precluded from suing hospitals under the then applicable charitable immunity doctrine. Charitable immunity declined in the 1960s, and by the 1970s, so too was the captain of the ship doctrine in decline. Pennsylvania, which first used the picturesque phrase in 1949, rejected the doctrine in 1974. In the meantime, it has come under much criticism, even among states that adopted it. Despite this decline and despite court language that sometimes borders on ridicule (e.g., anachronistic, prostrate doctrine, indiscriminate repetition), the felicity of the phrase has kept it alive in some states and in many ORs, even in states that have expressly rejected the doctrine. Even more than 20 years after its first rejection, however, courts still are being asked to adopt the doctrine. In 2001, the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to adopt the doctrine, adding to the litany of states that have taken an express position against it.
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Effective communication and courteous interaction with other hospital departments are essential for a smooth-running OR. To function effectively in a perioperative setting, OR personnel need patience, knowledge, and skill in problem-solving techniques. When health care employees are not taught these techniques and protocols are not in place to manage conflict, friction develops and productivity suffers. In this article, conflict situations between two hospital departments and on OR are presented to characterize successful conflict resolution methods using a systems approach. The results include reduction of surgical procedure delays, efficient ordering of supplies, and improved interpersonal relations.
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Latex continues to be the material of choice for surgical gloves because it is resealable and flexible, and it maintains the wearer's tactile sensitivity. The use of latex gloves for barrier protection may need to be reevaluated in light of the increasing number of individuals who are sensitive to latex. Hospital personnel can use low-allergen gloves or nonlatex gloves when caring for patients with known sensitivity to latex; however, only nonlatex gloves may be effectives at reducing or preventing anaphylactic reaction. Health care facilities must develop policies and procedures for dealing with latex-sensitive patients and health care workers.
An ergonomic consultant conducted an evaluation of a 14-room surgical suite that had a high rate of employee back injuries. The consultant made five specific recommendations regarding moving patients, maneuvering carts and equipment, using gallbladder boards, walking on wet floors, and accessing power outlets. Most of the recommendations were implemented and well received. Eighteen months after the implementation of the consultant's recommendations, there was a 25% reduction in the number of back injuries among the OR staff members.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.