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W
hat can go wrong during robot-assisted surgery?
Plenty. To name a few: burned organs from stray
electricity, nicked bowels, stabbed arteries and
retained robjects (yes, broken or burned pieces of
the robot falling into the patient's body). Yes, when
a robot malfunctions during surgery, bad things can happen, including
inconvenience, injury or even death.
As more surgeons in more specialties trade in their scalpels for joy-
sticks and foot pedals, it's important not to lose sight of the serious
risks that accompany the many benefits of robotic systems for minimal-
ly invasive surgery. Here's how to handle technical difficulties and in-
procedure complications.
• CONTINGENCY PLANNING Give your staff troubleshooting training to handle robotic emergencies.
Shirin
Towfigh,
MD
Jill Hayward, BSN, RN, CNOR | Los Angeles, Calif.
When the Robot Malfunctions
Prepare for the unexpected so glitches don't lead to disastrous outcomes.
