[Safety management in operating rooms]

In operating rooms, patients with a wide range of conditions are transferred from the wards to undergo surgery. Furthermore, because surgeons with different specialties perform various operations using instruments unique to their specialty, it is possible that operating room nurses, surgeons, and ward nurses do not always communicate clearly. Patients are anesthetized and unconscious, and as a general rule, family members are not allowed entry. As a result, operating rooms are unique environments where neither the patients receiving medical services nor their families can express opinions and concerns. Therefore an especially strict crisis management approach is needed in operating rooms. At present, individual hospital implement their own crisis management systems to prevent medical accidents. However, national debate is needed to establish medical accident prevention guidelines before each hospital compiles a manual that suits its needs.