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The Journal of Surgical Research Jul 2021Environmental noise pollution is regarded as a general stressor. Noise levels frequently exceed recommended noise levels by the World Health Organization in hospitals,...
BACKGROUND
Environmental noise pollution is regarded as a general stressor. Noise levels frequently exceed recommended noise levels by the World Health Organization in hospitals, especially in the operation room. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of noise pollution on patient outcome and performance by operation room staff. In addition, the perception and attitude toward playing music in the operation room, which can increase noise levels, were assessed as well.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic literature search of the databases Embase, Medline Ovid, and Cochrane from date of database inception until October 16, 2020 using the exhaustive literature search method was performed. Prospective studies evaluating the effect of noise on the patient, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other operation room staff, or perception and attitude toward playing music in the operation room, were included. This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (ID: 208282).
RESULTS
The literature search generated 4758 articles, and 22 prospective studies (3507 participants) were included. Three of the four studies that investigated the effect of noise on patient outcome reported a significant reduction of complication rate in surgical patients, when noise levels were lower. Six studies assessed the effect of noise in the operation room on the staff (1383 participants). Over half of the surveyed staff found noise levels to be a disturbing stressor and negatively impact performance. Although music increased decibel levels in the operation room, most surveyed staff was positively predisposed toward playing music during surgery, believing it to improve both individual and team performance. In general, music was not considered to be distracting or impairing communication.
CONCLUSIONS
Higher noise levels seem to have a negative effect on patient outcome and adversely affect performance by members in the operation room. Further research is needed to assess whether this knowledge can benefit patient outcome and surgical performance. Notably, attitude of surgical team members toward music during surgery is generally regarded favorable.
Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Communication; Humans; Music; Noise, Occupational; Operating Rooms; Patient Care Team; Perception; Postoperative Complications; Surgeons; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33677147
DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.01.038 -
Journal of Clinical Anesthesia Nov 2023To evaluate all available evidence thus far on opioid based versus opioid-free anesthesia and its effect on acute and chronic postoperative pain. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
STUDY OBJECTIVE
To evaluate all available evidence thus far on opioid based versus opioid-free anesthesia and its effect on acute and chronic postoperative pain.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
SETTING
Operating room, postoperative recovery room and ward.
PATIENTS
Patients undergoing general anesthesia.
INTERVENTIONS
After consulting MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane database, studies which compared opioid free anesthesia (OFA) with opioid based anesthesia (OBA) were included (last search April 15th 2022).
MEASUREMENTS
Primary outcomes were acute and chronic pain scores in NRS or VAS. Secondary outcomes were quality of recovery and postoperative opioid consumption. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool and a random effects model for the meta-analysis was conducted.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified 1245 citations, of which 38 studies met our inclusion criteria. There is moderate quality evidence showing no clinically relevant difference of Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores or opioid consumption in the postoperative period (pooled mean difference of 0.39 points with a CI of 0.19-0.59 and 4.02 MME with a CI of 1.73-6.30). We found only one small-sized study reporting no effect of opioid-free anesthesia on chronic pain. The quality of recovery was superior in patients with opioid-free anesthesia (mean difference of 8.26 points), however, this pooled analysis was comprised of only two studies. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurred less in opioid-free anesthesia, but bradycardia was more frequent.
CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that we cannot recommend one strategy over the other. Future studies could focus on quality of recovery as outcome measure and adequately powered studies on the effects of opioid-free anesthesia on chronic pain are eagerly awaited.
Topics: Humans; Analgesics, Opioid; Chronic Pain; Pain, Postoperative; Anesthesia, General; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting
PubMed: 37515877
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2023.111215 -
Health Policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Apr 2020Six Sigma has been widely used in the healthcare sector as a management tool to improve patient quality and safety. The objective of this study is to identify...
Six Sigma has been widely used in the healthcare sector as a management tool to improve patient quality and safety. The objective of this study is to identify opportunities for its implementation through literature analysis. A literature review has been carried out since the first publication of Six Sigma in the sector appeared until 2017, 20 years in all. To this end, it has been used three databases: MEDLINE, Web of Science (Core Collection) and Scopus. Accordance with the 196 articles of our database, it is found that: (1) Six Sigma publications in healthcare sector have been carried out mostly in the USA, (2) multiple specialities and services have used this tool, among them, we can emphasize the operating room and radiology service, (3) the case study has been the most used methodology and, (4) the objectives are focused mainly on achieving reductions of time, costs and errors, for the improvement of the quality and the satisfaction of the patients. This review seeks to serve healthcare professionals to know the benefits that Six Sigma can generate in processes that take place in a health center, hospital or other organizations in the sector.
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Health Facilities; Hospitals; Humans; Quality Improvement; Total Quality Management
PubMed: 32156468
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.01.002 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022The concept of a "green hospital" is used in reference to a hospital that includes the environment as part of its quality services and one that pays attention to the... (Review)
Review
The concept of a "green hospital" is used in reference to a hospital that includes the environment as part of its quality services and one that pays attention to the sustainable design of buildings. Waste disposal represents a potential risk for the environment; therefore, waste collection from healthcare centers is a key environmental issue. Our study aims to systematically review the experiences acquired in worldwide nosocomial settings related to the management of healthcare waste. Nineteen studies, selected between January 2020 and April 2022 on Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases were included in our systematic narrative review. Operating room and hemodialysis activities seem to be the procedures most associated with waste production. To deal with waste production, the 5Rs rule (reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink and research) was a common suggested strategy to derive the maximum practical benefit while generating the minimum amount of waste. In this context, the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the greening process of nosocomial environments. Waste management requires a multifactorial approach to deal with medical waste management, even considering the climate change that the world is experiencing. Education of health personnel and managers, regulation by governmental institutions, creation of an "environmental greening team", and awareness of stakeholders and policymakers are some of the measures needed for the greening of healthcare facilities.
Topics: Humans; Pandemics; COVID-19; Waste Management; Medical Waste; Hospitals; Medical Waste Disposal
PubMed: 36497884
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315812 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Mar 2023Virtual and augmented reality (VAR) represents a combination of current state-of-the-art computer and imaging technologies and has the potential to be a revolutionary... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Virtual and augmented reality (VAR) represents a combination of current state-of-the-art computer and imaging technologies and has the potential to be a revolutionary technology in many surgical fields. An increasing number of investigators have developed and applied VAR in hip-related surgery with the aim of using this technology to reduce hip surgery-related complications, improve surgical success rates, and reduce surgical risks. These technologies are beginning to be widely used in hip-related preoperative operation simulation and training, intraoperative navigation tools in the operating room, and postoperative rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
With the aim of reviewing the current status of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in hip-related surgery and summarizing its benefits, we discussed and briefly described the applicability, advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of VR and AR techniques in hip-related surgery, such as preoperative operation simulation and training; explored the possible future applications of AR in the operating room; and discussed the bright prospects of VR and AR technologies in postoperative rehabilitation after hip surgery.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the following key search terms: ("virtual reality" OR "augmented reality") AND ("pelvis" OR "hip"). The literature on basic and clinical research related to the aforementioned key search terms, that is, studies evaluating the key factors, challenges, or problems of using of VAR technology in hip-related surgery, was collected.
RESULTS
A total of 40 studies and reports were included and classified into the following categories: total hip arthroplasty, hip resurfacing, femoral neck fracture, pelvic fracture, acetabular fracture, tumor, arthroscopy, and postoperative rehabilitation. Quality assessment could be performed in 30 studies. Among the clinical studies, there were 16 case series with an average score of 89 out of 100 points (89%) and 1 case report that scored 81 (SD 10.11) out of 100 points (81%) according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Two cadaveric studies scored 85 of 100 points (85%) and 92 of 100 points (92%) according to the Quality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies scale.
CONCLUSIONS
VR and AR technologies hold great promise for hip-related surgeries, especially for preoperative operation simulation and training, feasibility applications in the operating room, and postoperative rehabilitation, and have the potential to assist orthopedic surgeons in operating more accurately and safely. More comparative studies are necessary, including studies focusing on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Topics: Humans; Augmented Reality; Cadaver; Operating Rooms; Surgery, Computer-Assisted; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 36651587
DOI: 10.2196/37599 -
Annals of Surgery Dec 2020Operating theatres are typically the most resource-intensive area of a hospital, 3-6 times more energy-intensive than the rest of the hospital and a major contributor of...
OF BACKGROUND DATA AND OBJECTIVES
Operating theatres are typically the most resource-intensive area of a hospital, 3-6 times more energy-intensive than the rest of the hospital and a major contributor of waste. The primary objective of this systematic review was to evaluate existing literature calculating the carbon footprint of surgical operations, determining opportunities for improving the environmental impact of surgery.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The Cochrane Database, Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and PubMed were searched and inclusion criteria applied. The study endpoints were extracted and compared, with the risk of bias determined.
RESULTS
A total of 4604 records were identified, and 8 were eligible for inclusion. This review found that the carbon footprint of a single operation ranged 6-814 kg carbon dioxide equivalents. The studies found that major carbon hotspots within the examined operating theatres were electricity use, and procurement of consumables. It was possible to reduce the carbon footprint of surgery through improving energy-efficiency of theatres, using reusable or reprocessed surgical devices and streamlining processes. There were significant methodological limitations within included studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Future research should focus on optimizing the carbon footprint of operating theatres through streamlining operations, expanding assessments to other surgical contexts, and determining ways to reduce the footprint through targeting carbon hotspots.
Topics: Carbon Footprint; Humans; Operating Rooms; Surgical Procedures, Operative
PubMed: 32516230
DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003951 -
European Urology Apr 2023Surgical activity contributes to global warming though the production of greenhouse gases and consumption of resources. To date, no clinical practice guidelines have... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Surgical activity contributes to global warming though the production of greenhouse gases and consumption of resources. To date, no clinical practice guidelines have been made to promote and implement climate-smart actions.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review of the available actions that could limit CO emission in the operating room (OR) and their potential benefits upon the environment, whilst preserving quality of care.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1, 1990 to April 2021. We included studies assessing carbon footprint (CF) in the OR and articles detailing actions that limit or reduce CF.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Thirty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. We identified six core climate-smart actions: (1) waste reduction by segregation; (2) waste reduction by recycling, reuse, and reprocessing; (3) sterilisation; (4) anaesthesia gas management; and (5) improvement of energy use. Quantitative analysis regarding the CF was not possible due to the lack of homogeneous data. For climate-smart actions, the analysis was limited by discrepancies in study scope and in the methodology of CO emission calculation. Improvement of education and awareness was found to have an important impact on waste segregation and reduction. Waste management is the area where health care workers could have the strongest impact, whereas the main field to reduce CF in the OR was found to be energy consumption.
CONCLUSIONS
This review provides arguments for many climate-smart actions that could be implemented in our daily practice. Improving awareness and education are important to act collectively in a sustainable way. Further studies are mandatory to assess the impact of these climate-smart actions in the OR.
PATIENT SUMMARY
We performed a systematic review of the available scientific literature to reference all the climate-smart actions proposed to improve the sustainability of surgical activities. Waste segregation, waste reduction and recycling, reuse and reprocessing, sterilisation, anaesthesia gas changes, and improvement of energy use in the operating room were found to be the main areas of research. There is still a long way to go to homogenise and improve the quality of our climate-smart actions.
Topics: Carbon Footprint; Operating Rooms; Environment; Waste Management
PubMed: 35151515
DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2022.01.027 -
Patient Safety in Surgery Jan 2024Organizational factors may influence surgical outcomes, regardless of extensively studied factors such as patient preoperative risk and surgical complexity. This study... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Organizational factors may influence surgical outcomes, regardless of extensively studied factors such as patient preoperative risk and surgical complexity. This study was designed to explore how operating room organization determines surgical performance and to identify gaps in the literature that necessitate further investigation.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines to identify original studies in Pubmed and Scopus from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2019. Studies evaluating the association between five determinants (team composition, stability, teamwork, work scheduling, disturbing elements) and three outcomes (operative time, patient safety, costs) were included. Methodology was assessed based on criteria such as multicentric investigation, accurate population description, and study design.
RESULTS
Out of 2625 studies, 76 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 34 (44.7%) investigated surgical team composition, 15 (19.7%) team stability, 11 (14.5%) teamwork, 9 (11.8%) scheduling, and 7 (9.2%) examined the occurrence of disturbing elements in the operating room. The participation of surgical residents appeared to impact patient outcomes. Employing specialized and stable teams in dedicated operating rooms showed improvements in outcomes. Optimization of teamwork reduced operative time, while poor teamwork increased morbidity and costs. Disturbances and communication failures in the operating room negatively affected operative time and surgical safety.
CONCLUSION
While limited, existing scientific evidence suggests that operating room staffing and environment significantly influences patient outcomes. Prioritizing further research on these organizational drivers is key to enhancing surgical performance.
PubMed: 38287316
DOI: 10.1186/s13037-023-00388-3 -
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and... Mar 2021Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis can be treated in the office or operating room (OR). The choice of treatment is based on several factors, including patient and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis can be treated in the office or operating room (OR). The choice of treatment is based on several factors, including patient and surgeon preference. However, there is little data to guide the decision-making. This study examines the available literature comparing operative treatment in-office versus OR.
METHODS
A systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines. Of 2,864 articles identified, 78 were reviewed full-length and 18 were included. Outcomes of interest were recurrence and complication rates, number of procedures, time interval between procedures, and cost.
RESULTS
Only one study compared outcomes of operative in-office to OR treatments. The weighted average complication rate for OR procedures was 0.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00-0.32), n = 8, and for office procedures, 0.17 (95% CI 0.08-0.33), n = 6. The weighted average time interval between OR procedures was 10.59 months (5.83, 15.35) and for office procedures 5.40 months (3.26-7.54), n = 1. The weighted average cost of OR procedures was $10,105.22 ($5,622.51-14,587.83), n = 2 versus $2,081.00 ($1,987.64-$2,174.36), n = 1 for office procedures.
CONCLUSION
Only one study compares office to OR treatment. The overall data indicate no differences aside from cost and imply that office procedures may be more cost-effective than OR procedures. However, the heterogeneous data limits any strong comparison of outcomes between office and OR-based treatment of laryngeal papillomas. More studies to compare the two treatment settings are warranted.
Topics: Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Health Care Costs; Humans; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Laser Therapy; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Operating Rooms; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; Papilloma; Papillomavirus Infections; Postoperative Complications; Respiratory Tract Infections; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32781827
DOI: 10.1177/0003489420949586 -
Ophthalmology and Therapy Aug 2022Dry eye disease (DED) after cataract surgery is associated with various risk factors, while causing a wide range of heterogeneous symptoms including decreased quality of... (Review)
Review
Dry eye disease (DED) after cataract surgery is associated with various risk factors, while causing a wide range of heterogeneous symptoms including decreased quality of vision. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of DED after cataract surgery. We searched PubMed and EMBASE and included studies on patients with DED after cataract surgery, between January 2011 and June 2020. Study-specific estimates (DED prevalence rates after cataract surgery in patients without preexisting DED) were combined using one-group meta-analysis in a random-effects model. We included 36 studies published between 2013 and 2020. We included nine of these in the meta-analysis of DED prevalence after cataract surgery. Overall 37.4% (95% CI 22.6-52.3; 206/775) of patients without preexisting DED developed DED after cataract surgery. The risk factors for DED after cataract surgery included age, female sex, systemic diseases, systemic medications, psychiatric conditions, preexisting DED, meibomian gland dysfunction, preservatives in eye drops, surgery techniques, and lifestyle. DED severity peak occurred 1 day postoperatively and persisted for at least 1-12 months following cataract surgery; therefore, consistent follow-up for DED is warranted for at least 1 month after cataract surgery. Topical administration of preservative-free diquafosol tetrasodium solution and preoperative meibomian gland treatment were effective in preventing and treating DED following cataract surgery. As more than one-third of patients develop DED after cataract surgery, careful DED management and treatment is needed after cataract surgery to improve satisfaction and vision quality.
PubMed: 35534685
DOI: 10.1007/s40123-022-00513-y