Patient safety in the operating theatre: An ongoing endeavour
Background Patient safety is of paramount importance in healthcare delivery. This is especially so in the high-risk and complex environment of the operating theatre. Objectives The purpose of this narrative review is to illustrate the risks that patients are exposed to in the operating theatre and t...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20101058251342344 |
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| Summary: | Background Patient safety is of paramount importance in healthcare delivery. This is especially so in the high-risk and complex environment of the operating theatre. Objectives The purpose of this narrative review is to illustrate the risks that patients are exposed to in the operating theatre and the measures in place to mitigate preventable harn, including the nationwide Ensure Safer Systems programme. Methods A literature search was conducted utilising sources such as PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and Web of Science between 2010 and 2024. ‘Patient safety’, ‘surgical safety’, ‘operating theatre’, ‘operating room’ and ‘systems approach’ were combined using Boolean operators. Selected guidelines and position statements from professional medical societies and government websites were also reviewed. Results This narrative review is informed by the analysis of qualitative and quantitative articles from the literature review. While there are numerous interventions addressing patient safety, many of these efforts target specific harms. In order to make a significant impact, it is crucial to adopt a systems approach that underpins these initiatives. Although the Ensure Safer Systems programme is a hospital-wide initiative, its scrutiny and oversight of operating theatre processes enhances patient safety in the operating theatre. Conclusions The establishment of a safety system comprising strong leadership commitment, safety culture and robust process improvement is vital to achieving sustained improvement in patient safety. |
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| ISSN: | 2059-2329 |