rent surgery. Be mind-
ful of the amount of
noise surgical equip-
ment makes, especial-
ly when purchasing
new platforms. The
whir of an
arthroscopy burr and
the suction of a
smoke evacuator
might not sound dis-
turbing when heard
alone, but they con-
tribute to the overall
cacophony of noise in
the OR. Whenever
possible, prioritize
equipment that's less
noisy than competing
brands.
Abrupt noise can be
quite startling and dis-
ruptive to other team
members in the room.
You might not be able
to eliminate or even
turn down the noise
equipment makes, but
you can carefully
place metal instru-
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 9
Try limiting the
disruptions caused
by these sources
of noise and dis-
traction in the OR.
Technological and
environmental
• phones
• paging systems
(personal and overhead)
• computers
• wireless communication systems
• music devices
• medical equipment/devices
• monitors, clinical alarms
• metal equipment, instruments
• environmental conditions (ventilation,
for example)
Behavioral
• case-related conversations
• non-case-related conversations
• patient care activities
• staff entering and leaving the OR
SOURCE: The Joint Commission
VOLUME CONTROL
Common Sounds Can
Jeopardize Patient Safety
• DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY Cell
phones in the OR are a potential source
of noise distraction.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
