Open AccessDistraction-Free Induction Zone: A Quality Improvement Initiative at a Large Academic Children’s Hospital to Improve the Quality and Safety of Anesthetic Care for Our Patients
Author(s) -
Christy J. Crockett,
Brian S. Donahue,
Deana C Vandivier
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.404
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1213/ane.0000000000003879
Subject(s) - distraction , patient safety , quality management , medicine , psychological intervention , anesthesia , medical emergency , operations management , health care , psychology , nursing , engineering , management system , neuroscience , economics , economic growth
Noise in the operating room may cause distractions during critical periods and impair reliable communication between staff. Even momentary inefficiency while administering anesthesia can lead to errors and serious consequences for the patient. Distractions to an anesthesia provider during critical periods such as induction and emergence are a patient safety issue. Because of concerns regarding unacceptable noise levels and distractions during induction of general anesthesia, our institution developed a quality improvement initiative, the "Distraction-Free Induction Zone." The specific aim of this project was to decrease the percentage of cases with a distraction, described as music, unnecessary conversations, or loud noises, occurring during induction of general anesthesia in pediatric otolaryngology operating rooms from 61% to 15%.