Surgical team communication and intraoperative errors: A cross-sectional study

The relationship between intraoperative error rates and the quality of communication within the surgical team is of interest. Using post-operative surveys and organized observation, 136 surgical procedures from various specializations were examined. The results showed that poor communication was strongly associated with higher error rates, especially when it came to important decision points and instrument handoffs. Real-time communication and effective preoperative briefings reduced the frequency of avoidable errors. Strengthening communication protocols may improve surgical safety and collaboration.