Measuring and evaluating standardization of scrub nurse instrument table setups: a multi-center study

Area of Science:

• Surgical process analysis
• Operating room workflow optimization
• Healthcare standardization

Background:

• Standardized surgical instrument setups are crucial for patient safety and operating room efficiency.
• Research on surgical instrument tables and personnel knowledge of standardized setups is limited.
• A holistic approach is needed to improve surgical standards and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the existence and acceptance of standardized instrument table setups in clinics.
• To assess personnel's knowledge of existing instrument table standards.
• To explore the potential benefits of a written standard for surgical instrument setups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Nosco Trainer, a simulation system for scrub nurse training, to analyze instrument table setups.
• Developed a novel metric to quantitatively measure the similarity of surgical instrument table configurations.
• Administered a questionnaire to scrub nurses to gather data on their awareness and acceptance of standards.

Main Results:

• A data-driven metric correctly identified the clinic of 14 out of 15 participants based on their instrument table setups.
• Significant similarities in instrument table setups were observed within individual clinics.
• Only one-third of participants confirmed awareness of an existing standard for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery interventions.

Conclusions:

• Despite intra-clinic similarities in setups, awareness of existing standards is low among surgical personnel.
• A majority of surveyed personnel support the development and implementation of a written standard.
• Standardized instrument table analysis can enhance operating room workflow, patient safety, and training for new staff.