The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in Germany
Abstract Background Effective and reliable communication is the cornerstone of safe communication in the operating room (OR). The OR is one of the most dynamic places in the hospital where multiple disciplines must work together in perfect harmony to ultimately improve patient outcomes. To create fa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Patient Safety in Surgery |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13037-024-00418-8 |
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| author | Alexander D. Bungert Jan Philipp Ramspott Carsten Szardenings Alina Knipping Benjamin Struecker Andreas Pascher Jens Peter Hoelzen |
| author_facet | Alexander D. Bungert Jan Philipp Ramspott Carsten Szardenings Alina Knipping Benjamin Struecker Andreas Pascher Jens Peter Hoelzen |
| author_sort | Alexander D. Bungert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Effective and reliable communication is the cornerstone of safe communication in the operating room (OR). The OR is one of the most dynamic places in the hospital where multiple disciplines must work together in perfect harmony to ultimately improve patient outcomes. To create familiarity by name regarding constantly changing team members, individual name tagging was implemented in the OR. Methods We analysed the impact of name tagging in the OR in a proof-of-concept study. Name tags (either first or last name), coloured according to the specific department, have been placed on the cap since March 13, 2023. On May 26, 2023, a total of 440 anaesthesiologists, general, visceral, and trauma surgeons, nurses, and service staff were invited to answer an evaluation questionnaire of nine questions. The survey period ended on August 7, 2023. 101 people answered the query which, among other things, asked for overall ratings, compliance, evaluation of specific items as well as positive and negative aspects. Statistical analyses were performed using R. Results Most of the interviewed staff rated the implementation of name tagging positively (median=3.4; scale from 1-5, 1=bad, 5=good). The greatest benefit was seen in communication in general, direct contact with colleagues, and delegation of tasks. Most of the staff (>90 %) adhered to the new project and used it regularly. Negative aspects mentioned included potential loss of sterility, loss of respectability, and environmental impact. Potential for improvement was seen in the bonding method of attachment or in the implementation. Conclusion Individual name tagging in the OR can improve interprofessional communication and is one tool to enhance patient safety by decreasing reservations or intimidations towards previously unknown colleagues. More studies are required to determine long-term effects on patient safety, outcome, or employee satisfaction. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9038f0e08e874c2f989bd48376cb962a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1754-9493 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Patient Safety in Surgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-9038f0e08e874c2f989bd48376cb962a2025-08-20T01:56:45ZengBMCPatient Safety in Surgery1754-94932024-12-011811910.1186/s13037-024-00418-8The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in GermanyAlexander D. Bungert0Jan Philipp Ramspott1Carsten Szardenings2Alina Knipping3Benjamin Struecker4Andreas PascherJens Peter Hoelzen5Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital MuensterDepartment of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital MuensterInstitute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of MuensterDepartment of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital MuensterDepartment of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital MuensterDepartment of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital MuensterAbstract Background Effective and reliable communication is the cornerstone of safe communication in the operating room (OR). The OR is one of the most dynamic places in the hospital where multiple disciplines must work together in perfect harmony to ultimately improve patient outcomes. To create familiarity by name regarding constantly changing team members, individual name tagging was implemented in the OR. Methods We analysed the impact of name tagging in the OR in a proof-of-concept study. Name tags (either first or last name), coloured according to the specific department, have been placed on the cap since March 13, 2023. On May 26, 2023, a total of 440 anaesthesiologists, general, visceral, and trauma surgeons, nurses, and service staff were invited to answer an evaluation questionnaire of nine questions. The survey period ended on August 7, 2023. 101 people answered the query which, among other things, asked for overall ratings, compliance, evaluation of specific items as well as positive and negative aspects. Statistical analyses were performed using R. Results Most of the interviewed staff rated the implementation of name tagging positively (median=3.4; scale from 1-5, 1=bad, 5=good). The greatest benefit was seen in communication in general, direct contact with colleagues, and delegation of tasks. Most of the staff (>90 %) adhered to the new project and used it regularly. Negative aspects mentioned included potential loss of sterility, loss of respectability, and environmental impact. Potential for improvement was seen in the bonding method of attachment or in the implementation. Conclusion Individual name tagging in the OR can improve interprofessional communication and is one tool to enhance patient safety by decreasing reservations or intimidations towards previously unknown colleagues. More studies are required to determine long-term effects on patient safety, outcome, or employee satisfaction.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13037-024-00418-8CommunicationRisk managementPatient safetyName taggingSurgeryOperating room |
| spellingShingle | Alexander D. Bungert Jan Philipp Ramspott Carsten Szardenings Alina Knipping Benjamin Struecker Andreas Pascher Jens Peter Hoelzen The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in Germany Patient Safety in Surgery Communication Risk management Patient safety Name tagging Surgery Operating room |
| title | The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in Germany |
| title_full | The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in Germany |
| title_fullStr | The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in Germany |
| title_short | The Power of The (First) Name: Do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety? A proof-of-concept study from an academic medical center in Germany |
| title_sort | power of the first name do name tags for operating room staff improve effective communication and patient safety a proof of concept study from an academic medical center in germany |
| topic | Communication Risk management Patient safety Name tagging Surgery Operating room |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13037-024-00418-8 |
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