Andrew Stevenson
Introduction
Accurate communication in the operating theatre environment is important to ensure safe patient care. The teams in theatre are large and frequently have new or temporary staff which can make identification of individuals and roles more difficult. A pilot study of centrally laundered re-useable scrub hats with detachable name badges was conducted to assess acceptability and influence on communication.
Methods
Staff in the trauma and orthopaedic theatre complex of a district general hospital were surveyed before and two weeks after implementation of reuseable scrub hats. The number of correct names and roles of colleagues (with aid of visible name badge if present) was recorded. Qualitative feedback regarding scrub hat comfort, influence on team communication and overall acceptability was collected.
Results
34 staff (13 roles) were surveyed pre- and 31 staff post-implementation. Name recognition (of 75% or more colleagues) improved from 41.1% to 96.8% and role recognition from 85.2% to 96.8%. 54.8% of staff felt they had been addressed by their name more and 93.5% stated they found it easier to identify the names of colleagues. 70.6% felt that communication had improved, citing improved ability to direct instructions to individuals and closed-loop communication. 70.6% were prepared to continue using the hats, with a further 23.5% agreeable with adjustments to the fit or material.
Conclusion
This first-of-it’s-kind pilot in the UK shows that these hats improve name and job role recognition and are acceptable to the majority of the staff.
Authors
Thomas Parsons
Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, United Kingdom
Ben George
Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, United Kingdom
Andrew Stevenson
Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, United Kingdom