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: David Chee, Tong Khee Tan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2025-05-01
Series:Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/20101058251342344
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author David Chee
Tong Khee Tan
author_facet David Chee
Tong Khee Tan
author_sort David Chee
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj-art-76d1b31cc4a24efc85caaf2cfa05f3462025-08-20T03:52:43ZengSAGE PublishingProceedings of Singapore Healthcare2059-23292025-05-013410.1177/20101058251342344Patient safety in the operating theatre: An ongoing endeavourDavid CheeTong Khee TanBackground 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.https://doi.org/10.1177/20101058251342344
spellingShingle David Chee
Tong Khee Tan
Patient safety in the operating theatre: An ongoing endeavour
Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare
title Patient safety in the operating theatre: An ongoing endeavour
title_full Patient safety in the operating theatre: An ongoing endeavour
title_fullStr Patient safety in the operating theatre: An ongoing endeavour
title_full_unstemmed Patient safety in the operating theatre: An ongoing endeavour
title_short Patient safety in the operating theatre: An ongoing endeavour
title_sort patient safety in the operating theatre an ongoing endeavour
url https://doi.org/10.1177/20101058251342344
work_keys_str_mv AT davidchee patientsafetyintheoperatingtheatreanongoingendeavour
AT tongkheetan patientsafetyintheoperatingtheatreanongoingendeavour