The majority of adverse incidents in theatre are associated with human factor (HF) issues, including communication and team working . Redesign of processes; using briefs, pauses and cognitive aids and HF based team training have been shown to reduce harm and improve safety in healthcare. The purpose of this project is to contribute to reduction in harm in the peri-op period by establishing the third component of the WHO checklist, an ‘anaesthetic pause’, using QI methodology, supported by HF based simulation and training.
Aim: To contribute to improved safety, 95% of adult patients, having general or regional anaesthesia in the 7 theatres in the theatre suite in Monklands Hospital, will have an ‘anaesthetic pause’ carried out prior to the start of anaesthesia by the end of June 2016.
