ORX Proceedings 2013_Layout 1 12/6/13 11:21 AM Page 23
When asked whether they were concerned about distracted perioperative
team members, 83% of the attendees said they were.
The solution: raise awareness, build and enforce a strict communication policy, create a space where personal electronic devices aren't allowed and teach by
example.
"Airline pilots don't allow themselves to be distracted by social media,
because they themselves do not want to die," says Dr. Papadakos. "To replicate
that in health care, we'd have to say: If there's a wrong-site surgery or other
error, we will shoot everybody in the OR."
The line was intended to draw laughter — and it did — in an entertaining
presentation on distracted doctoring by Dr. Papadakos, of the University of
Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center, and Donna Ford, MSN, RN-BC, CNOR, nursing
education specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. But as Dr.
Papadakos points out: "The digital nightmare is not farcical. It's happening at
your institution."
The point was driven home when the audience was asked if they text and
drive. Somewhat shockingly, 50% admitted that they do.
Another question posed to the audience was designed to mimic the test given
to alcoholics: "Do you reach for your personal electronic device first thing in the
morning?" More than half (52%) answered in the affirmative.
"Have some guidelines, because new technology may just increase the problem," says Ms. Ford. "Believe it or not, there was one study done where residents and CRNAs were told they were being observed, and 54% still surfed the
Internet!"
— J.B.
D E C E M B E R 2013 | S U P P L E M E N T
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