Enhancing patient safety: identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating rooms
Abstract Background Transfers within operating rooms present significant risks to patient safety, with falls potentially leading to serious consequences for both patients and staff. The aim of this study is to explore the factors contributing to falls during transfers and strategies to enhance patie...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12750-5 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849699616415547392 |
|---|---|
| author | Kübra Okuyucu |
| author_facet | Kübra Okuyucu |
| author_sort | Kübra Okuyucu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Transfers within operating rooms present significant risks to patient safety, with falls potentially leading to serious consequences for both patients and staff. The aim of this study is to explore the factors contributing to falls during transfers and strategies to enhance patient safety in operating rooms. Methods This is a qualitative study conducted using semi-structured interviews with fifteen operating room staff including nurse (n = 7), anaesthesia technician (n = 7) and scrub person (n = 1). Their ages ranged from 28 to 39 years, with experience years in the operating room ranging from two to ten years. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach based on the grounded theory. Results The thematic analysis identified six key factors contributing to falls during patient transfers: human error, team coordination, patient condition, staffing challenges, equipment issues, and inadequate training. Participants recommended improving team collaboration, pre-operative patient education, better infrastructure (e.g., private elevators), hands-on training, and increased staffing. Additionally, policy changes to limit complex outpatient transfers were suggested to reduce risks. Conclusions This study provides valuable insights into the risk factors and potential prevention strategies regarding falls during patient transfers in operating rooms. Future research should incorporate multidisciplinary observational studies involving human factors to provide deeper insights. It is recommended to create systems for anonymous incident reporting and implement comprehensive training programs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0d2db92ebcf9426a920c85f539c50b5e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-0d2db92ebcf9426a920c85f539c50b5e2025-08-20T03:18:32ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-04-012511810.1186/s12913-025-12750-5Enhancing patient safety: identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating roomsKübra Okuyucu0Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Amasya UniversityAbstract Background Transfers within operating rooms present significant risks to patient safety, with falls potentially leading to serious consequences for both patients and staff. The aim of this study is to explore the factors contributing to falls during transfers and strategies to enhance patient safety in operating rooms. Methods This is a qualitative study conducted using semi-structured interviews with fifteen operating room staff including nurse (n = 7), anaesthesia technician (n = 7) and scrub person (n = 1). Their ages ranged from 28 to 39 years, with experience years in the operating room ranging from two to ten years. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach based on the grounded theory. Results The thematic analysis identified six key factors contributing to falls during patient transfers: human error, team coordination, patient condition, staffing challenges, equipment issues, and inadequate training. Participants recommended improving team collaboration, pre-operative patient education, better infrastructure (e.g., private elevators), hands-on training, and increased staffing. Additionally, policy changes to limit complex outpatient transfers were suggested to reduce risks. Conclusions This study provides valuable insights into the risk factors and potential prevention strategies regarding falls during patient transfers in operating rooms. Future research should incorporate multidisciplinary observational studies involving human factors to provide deeper insights. It is recommended to create systems for anonymous incident reporting and implement comprehensive training programs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12750-5FallsOperating roomPatient safetyQualitative study |
| spellingShingle | Kübra Okuyucu Enhancing patient safety: identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating rooms BMC Health Services Research Falls Operating room Patient safety Qualitative study |
| title | Enhancing patient safety: identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating rooms |
| title_full | Enhancing patient safety: identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating rooms |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing patient safety: identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating rooms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing patient safety: identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating rooms |
| title_short | Enhancing patient safety: identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating rooms |
| title_sort | enhancing patient safety identifying fall risks during patient transfers in operating rooms |
| topic | Falls Operating room Patient safety Qualitative study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12750-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kubraokuyucu enhancingpatientsafetyidentifyingfallrisksduringpatienttransfersinoperatingrooms |