Presentation
Navigating Operating Room Dynamics: Applying Human Factors Strategies for Safer Surgeries
DescriptionInterpersonal conflicts and disruptive behaviors in the operating room (OR) are widely recognized as critical threats to both team efficiency and patient safety. These behaviors, ranging from communication breakdowns to conflict, not only compromise clinical outcomes but also create excessive stress, leading to burnout and diminished team performance. Addressing these issues requires both leadership and a strategic implementation of behavioral interventions, grounded in human factors principles.
This panel brings together two surgical leaders and two human factors experts to present a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to understanding and mitigating OR disruptions. The focus of the discussion will be on key areas such as identifying the nature and sources of interpersonal conflicts, developing objective measures to assess OR dynamics, and implementing behavior modification strategies that enhance surgeon self-regulation and professional behavior.
Key discussion points:
• Interpersonal Conflicts and Disruptive Behaviors in the OR: Exploring common behavioral issues facing OR teams, including specific case studies that highlight the negative impact on both patient safety and operational efficiency.
• Human Factors Methodologies to Objectively Measure OR Disruptions: Utilizing human factors approaches to identify and quantify breakdowns in communication and team dynamics.
• Behavioral Interventions: Implementing strategies to improve professionalism, self-regulation, and team cohesion, ultimately improving both patient outcomes and OR team performance.
Panelists:
1. Bruce Gewertz, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief, Executive Vice Dean, Faculty Affairs and Clinical System Development, Vice President, Interventional Services, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
2. Todd Rosengart, MD, Vice President for Hospital Operations and Quality Improvement, Professor and Chair, DeBakey Bard Chair of Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
3. Eduardo Salas, PhD, Allyn R. & Gladys M. Cline Chair Professor in Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University,
4. Tara Cohen, PhD, Director, Surgical Safety and Human Factors Research, Associate Professor, Research Scientist II, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Panel Discussion:
Dr. Bruce Gewertz will provide an overview of common disruptive behaviors observed in the operating room (OR). He will present case studies that highlight how these behaviors can negatively impact both patient outcomes and the efficiency of the surgical team. Additionally, Dr. Gewertz will discuss the critical role of surgical leadership in addressing and mitigating these disruptive behaviors to foster a more effective and cohesive work environment.
Next, Dr. Eduardo Salas, PhD, will explore the importance of team dynamics in maintaining efficiency and safety within the OR. His discussion will cover various interventions designed to reduce interpersonal conflicts and enhance team cohesion, drawing on his extensive research into teamwork and communication in high-stress environments like the operating room. Dr. Salas will offer insights into how these human factors interventions can significantly improve teamwork and overall performance in such high-stakes settings.
Dr. Tara Cohen, PhD, will focus on the application of human factors methods in investigating systemic breakdowns following ultra-rare adverse events, such as intraoperative mortality. Her discussion will include a detailed look at the intraoperative mortality investigation process and how effective debriefing after such events can provide valuable insights into system failures, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
Finally, Dr. Todd Rosengart will discuss practical approaches to behavior modification among surgeons, emphasizing the role of self-regulation in maintaining professionalism, particularly under stress. His presentation will explore how improving self-regulation can positively influence OR team dynamics and patient outcomes by fostering a more collaborative and professional work environment.
This panel brings together two surgical leaders and two human factors experts to present a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to understanding and mitigating OR disruptions. The focus of the discussion will be on key areas such as identifying the nature and sources of interpersonal conflicts, developing objective measures to assess OR dynamics, and implementing behavior modification strategies that enhance surgeon self-regulation and professional behavior.
Key discussion points:
• Interpersonal Conflicts and Disruptive Behaviors in the OR: Exploring common behavioral issues facing OR teams, including specific case studies that highlight the negative impact on both patient safety and operational efficiency.
• Human Factors Methodologies to Objectively Measure OR Disruptions: Utilizing human factors approaches to identify and quantify breakdowns in communication and team dynamics.
• Behavioral Interventions: Implementing strategies to improve professionalism, self-regulation, and team cohesion, ultimately improving both patient outcomes and OR team performance.
Panelists:
1. Bruce Gewertz, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief, Executive Vice Dean, Faculty Affairs and Clinical System Development, Vice President, Interventional Services, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
2. Todd Rosengart, MD, Vice President for Hospital Operations and Quality Improvement, Professor and Chair, DeBakey Bard Chair of Surgery, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine
3. Eduardo Salas, PhD, Allyn R. & Gladys M. Cline Chair Professor in Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences at Rice University,
4. Tara Cohen, PhD, Director, Surgical Safety and Human Factors Research, Associate Professor, Research Scientist II, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Panel Discussion:
Dr. Bruce Gewertz will provide an overview of common disruptive behaviors observed in the operating room (OR). He will present case studies that highlight how these behaviors can negatively impact both patient outcomes and the efficiency of the surgical team. Additionally, Dr. Gewertz will discuss the critical role of surgical leadership in addressing and mitigating these disruptive behaviors to foster a more effective and cohesive work environment.
Next, Dr. Eduardo Salas, PhD, will explore the importance of team dynamics in maintaining efficiency and safety within the OR. His discussion will cover various interventions designed to reduce interpersonal conflicts and enhance team cohesion, drawing on his extensive research into teamwork and communication in high-stress environments like the operating room. Dr. Salas will offer insights into how these human factors interventions can significantly improve teamwork and overall performance in such high-stakes settings.
Dr. Tara Cohen, PhD, will focus on the application of human factors methods in investigating systemic breakdowns following ultra-rare adverse events, such as intraoperative mortality. Her discussion will include a detailed look at the intraoperative mortality investigation process and how effective debriefing after such events can provide valuable insights into system failures, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
Finally, Dr. Todd Rosengart will discuss practical approaches to behavior modification among surgeons, emphasizing the role of self-regulation in maintaining professionalism, particularly under stress. His presentation will explore how improving self-regulation can positively influence OR team dynamics and patient outcomes by fostering a more collaborative and professional work environment.
Event Type
Discussion Panel
TimeTuesday, April 18:30am - 10:00am EDT
LocationHarbour C
Hospital Environments (HE)