Good Communication in the OR Prevents Patient Complications

By Sondra Forsyth

In a study by psychologists and surgeons concerning elective, open abdominal surgeries conducted in 167 patients, communication by the surgical team that was relevant to the procedure was linked with a reduced risk of the development of surgical site infections. On the other hand, irrelevant communication during the closing phase of the procedure was linked with an increased risk of surgical site infections. The article was published in the British Journal of Surgery in October 2015.

A release from the publishers quotes lead author Dr. Franziska Tschan as saying, “Communicating about the procedure allows all members of the surgical team to be ‘on the same page,’ thus facilitating team coordination. Case-irrelevant communication is more likely during a routine phase of a surgery, for example wound closure.”

“Case-irrelevant communication is important for a good team climate, but too much of it can be a distractor,” added senior surgeon Dr. Guido Beldi. “The team has to find a balance.”