Practical Approaches to Balancing Music and Safety in the Operating Room: A Systematic and Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Medical Practice
• Surgical Safety

Background:

• Music in the operating room (OR) presents a dual effect, potentially reducing stress and enhancing focus while also risking distraction and compromised patient safety.
• Existing literature highlights the pros and cons of OR music but lacks a comprehensive guideline for its responsible management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the effects of music in the operating room on surgical teams.
• To identify existing guidelines for OR music management.
• To propose a practical framework for managing OR music to mitigate risks and maximize benefits.

Main Methods:

• A scoping and systematic quantitative review was conducted.
• Searches utilized established guidelines like the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA).
• Search terms focused on the effects of OR music on surgical teams and regulatory guidelines.

Main Results:

• Fourteen studies were included, encompassing various designs (RCTs, observational, surveys).
• Surgeon-directed music was linked to improved mood, reduced stress, and perceived efficiency.
• Team-level outcomes were mixed, with 64% of studies reporting negative impacts on communication, distraction, or situational awareness.

Conclusions:

• Managing operating room music is crucial for patient safety.
• A grassroots approach involving team input is suggested for sustainable OR music management.
• A practical framework is proposed to address the complexities of OR music use.