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in our ORs. The assessment revealed our team had to overcome some
common barriers, perhaps a few of which look familiar.
• Language. Some staff members speak Spanish as their first language, and some foreign-speaking patients don't fully understand
what they're being told and therefore can't participate fully in pre-op
time outs.
• Personal issues. Fights with spouses, children home sick, an ailing
parent, financial difficulties — these anxieties can raise individuals'
stress levels, further adding to the challenges of creating a harmonious, high-functioning team.
• Ownership stakes. You have to consider the anthropology behind
the different tribes in the perioperative setting and help each group
understand the needs and views of the others.
Implementing the solutions
Bring together the key stakeholders in your ORs — nurse managers,
surgical nurses, surgical techs, anesthesia providers and surgeons —
as well as staff from pre-op and recovery areas. Teach everyone —
from junior-level, new employees to senior staff and surgeons — how
to communicate in constructive ways that successfully change behavior. Key points to keep in mind:
• Perception is everything. The person you're communicating with
may misconstrue the message's intended meaning. Your perception
of the conversation is based on your reality at that moment (perA P R I L 2 013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E | 1 3 9
