Preoperative Briefing Essay

540 Words2 Pages

Preoperative Briefing and Its Effect in the Operating Room Improvement in the safety of the operating room is important when it comes to efficiency, as well as patient outcomes post-surgery. Memorial Health System in Colorado Springs, Colorado implemented the use of preoperative briefing prior to the operation to improve efficiency and communication among the operating room staff during the surgery. The idea behind including this in the plan of care, was to allow more time for the operating room staff to ask questions about the procedure and to further address any patient history that may result in problems or a change in care for the operating room staff. The briefing resulted in the circulating nurse needing to leave the operating room to …show more content…

The room was filled with questions and insight from all staff, including the circulating nurse, CRNA, surgeon, residents, and interns. The briefing prior to the operation included introductions of everyone, jokes, and then patient information. While observing, I found it very hard to tell what rolls each person had in the care of the patient, because everyone was treated with equal respect, and there did not appear to be a hierarchy within the room. When discussing each person’s role in patient care, each member regarded to their coworkers with a very high level of respect, and I saw this as a key towards success in the care of the patient. The use of the briefing prior to the surgery showed teamwork and collaboration in understanding what was needed for the patient, as well as preparing for any complications that may rise; there were a lot of questions and explanations during this time. The briefing also allowed for care that was specific to the patient; no two patients are the exact same in care, and this time allowed for the staff to gain insight on what areas needed to be specialized for him, as well as improving the safety and quality of the care. In this experience I learned the importance behind communication in the operating room, relating to what the patient’s needs were, as well as reducing the sense of hierarchy within the facility. As a nurse, I have a voice in the care

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