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Identifying and controlling hazards to operating theatre personnel

02 December 2015

Education

11 mins read

02 December 2015

Volume 6 · Issue 10

ISSN (print): 2044-0065

ISSN (online): 2052-2959

Abstract

Safety in the operating theatre for both staff and patients requires careful planning, use of appropriate personal protective equipment and demands daily attention by all members of the surgical team and support staff.

This article aims to serve as a reminder of the potential hazards in the operating theatre and as a means of raising awareness of the potential risks. Working in an operating theatre is never going to be without risk, however if each member of theatre personnel develops the habit of focusing on both patient safety and occupational safety at the same time, risks and hazards may be minimised.

The operating room is one of the most hazardous environments in the healthcare delivery system. By definition, surgery is invasive. Instruments that are designed to penetrate patient's tissue can just as easily injure the provider. Blood is everywhere. Speed is essential. Emergencies can occur at any time and interrupt routines. Preventing injuries under these circumstances is challenging (Gerberding, 2001).

The operating theatre has certain characteristics that increase the likelihood of accidents. For example, staff frequently use and pass sharp instrumentation without looking or letting the other person know their intentions. Workspace may be confined and the ability to see what is going on in the operative field for certain members of the team such as the scrub nurse or surgical assistant may be poor. This is further complicated by the need for speed, not to mention the added stress of anxiety, fatigue and, on occasion, frustration (Tietjen et al, 2003). Sound familiar?

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