Labelling of Fluids in the Sterile Field During Orthopaedic Surgery: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Area of Science:

• Patient Safety
• Surgical Protocols
• Quality Improvement

Background:

• Intraoperative syringe labelling is crucial for patient safety in surgery.
• Compliance challenges exist in fast-paced orthopaedic settings, risking fluid misidentification.
• Existing guidelines from professional bodies aim to prevent medication errors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess current fluid labelling practices in orthopaedic theatres.
• To identify barriers to consistent labelling compliance.
• To develop and evaluate a cost-effective intervention to improve labelling.

Main Methods:

• Two audit cycles in three orthopaedic theatres.
• Initial audit observed 30 procedures for labelling compliance.
• Intervention included marker pens, sterile stickers, a 'tactical pause and check', and an awareness campaign.
• Second audit assessed 34 procedures post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Initial compliance was low at 10% (3/30 procedures).
• Post-intervention compliance dramatically increased to 94% (32/34 procedures).
• The intervention was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and cost-effective.

Conclusions:

• Low-cost interventions like sterile stickers and marker pens significantly enhance fluid labelling compliance in orthopaedic surgery.
• This improves patient safety by reducing risks associated with fluid misidentification.
• Further research into sustainable solutions and long-term impact is recommended.