Page 25 - Part 2 Anesthesiology Common Risk Issues

SVMIC Anesthesiology: Common Risk Issues

• Limit personal telephone calls and text messages to urgent

or emergent situations

• Forward cell phone calls and transmissions to voice mail or

memory

• Silence ring tones

• Keep all telephone calls to a minimum and brief as

possible

• Limit OR Internet access only to patient-care-related

websites

• Avoid discretionary Internet-based activities and browsing

• Minimize nonessential conversation, especially during

critical phases

• Limit interruptions from outside staff and others

• Set an example — vigilance and focused attention on the
patient are paramount

• Speak up — let others know when their PED use is
distracting the OR team

Medical Malpractice Implications

Distractions and interruptions are a fact of life in today’s

healthcare environment, but that doesn’t mean a practice
should simply accept them and the threat they pose to patient

safety. Identifying the sources and frequency of distractions and
interruptions allows for implementation of strategies to avoid or

minimize at least some of them. Reviewing the use of personal
electronic devices is an area of “low-hanging fruit” where

relatively straightforward, low-cost behavior modifications can
make a significant difference.

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