1 1 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 6
Our June survey of 146 surgical facility leaders suggests you can do
more to ensure members of your OR team avoid shortcuts that increase
the risks of an already risky profession, use near-misses as teaching
moments and educate staff on safety-related competencies.
— Daniel Cook
OR TEAM SAFETY SURVEY
Top Causes of Staff Harm? Sharps Injuries and Slips
Has a member of your clinical team
ever suffered any of these injuries or
harm?
Smoke exposure 13%
Sharps or needlestick injury 81%
Slip or trip 54%
Ergonomic injury 34%
Exposure to fluid waste 21%
Radiation exposure 9%
No injuries have occurred 11%
* Respondents could select more than
one option.
Ergonomic injuries are an unfortu-
nate reality of working in the OR.
Strongly agree 29%
Agree 32%
Somewhat agree 19%
Disagree 14%
Strongly disagree 6%
Sharps injuries and needlesticks
are significant threats in your ORs
Strongly agree 36%
Agree 27%
Somewhat agree 18%
Disagree 10%
Strongly disagree 9%
You routinely monitor surgical per-
sonnel for compliance with your
sharps safety plan.
Always 37%
Usually 34%
Sometimes 17%
Rarely 4%
Never 4%
Not sure 4%
You see physicians or staff members
taking shortcuts that could jeopardize
their safety.
Often 4%
Occasionally 49%
Rarely 34%
Never 12%
Not sure 1%
You develop safety-related compe-
tencies for your staff, with annual
education and testing.
Always 59%
Usually 21%
Sometimes 12%
Rarely 2%
Never 5%
Not sure 1%
