Distractions in the Operating Room

Abstract

The goal of this review is to investigate current research in the area of operating room (OR) distractions, in particular, from the perspective of the anesthesia provider. Additionally, the concept of the “sterile cockpit” is discussed as well as the science of attention span in humans. Etiology of distractions may be classified as patient care related, due to technology, noise, and alarms, from interpersonal dynamics or personally driven. Studies show that at least 5% of human factor errors in the OR are due to distractions. Lack of attention has been shown to contribute disproportionately to poor outcomes due to inadequate respiratory monitoring. OR distractions continue to be problematic for the anesthesia providers and patients alike. Implementation of aviation-style distraction mitigation strategies has been proposed though there is limited research to support their efficacy. Additional research in this field is necessary to determine the etiology of patient harm and to guide development of procedures and protocols to reduce OR distractions.