Electronic display board in operating theatres for easy patient identification

Area of Science:

• Patient Safety
• Surgical Risk Management
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Surgical care is complex and high-risk, with potential for severe negative outcomes.
• Operating theatres (OTs) are stressful environments prone to errors.
• Correct patient identification is crucial to prevent wrong-site surgeries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance patient identification accuracy in the operating theatre.
• To mitigate the risk of wrong-site surgeries.
• To improve safety during critical surgical time-out procedures.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a visible display for two patient identifiers and the nature of the operation.
• Utilized Deming's Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle for iterative improvement.
• Regular workgroup meetings to review strategies and implement changes.

Main Results:

• Surgeons and nurses reported increased safety with the displayed patient information.
• Improved ease and accuracy in confirming patient details during time-out.
• Facilitated safer noting of critical results in the OT.

Conclusions:

• Displaying patient identifiers and operation details enhances safety in the operating theatre.
• This strategy is effective in reducing the risk of wrong-site surgeries.
• Visible patient information supports safer critical procedures and patient verification.