Improving teamwork and communication in the operating room by introducing the theatre cap challenge

Abstract

Objective One of the steps of the Surgical Safety Checklist is for the team members to introduce themselves. The objective of this study was to implement a tool to help remember and use each other’s names and roles in the operating theatre. Methods This study was part of a pilot study in which a video and medical data recorder was implemented in one operating theatre and used as a tool for postoperative multidisciplinary debriefings. During these debriefings, name recall was evaluated. Following the implementation of the medical data recorder, this study was started by introducing the theatre cap challenge, meaning the use of name (including role) stickers on the surgical cap in the operating theatre. Findings In total, 41% (n = 40 out of 98) of the operating theatre members were able to recall all the names of their team at the team briefings. On average 44.8% (n = 103) was wearing the name sticker. Conclusions The time-out stage of the Surgical Safety Checklist might be inadequate for correctly remembering and using your operating theatre team members’ names. For this, the theatre cap challenge may help.

Call me Ishmael: addressing the white whale of team communication in the operating room with labelled surgical caps at an academic medical centre

“…The majority of survey participants reported the caps improved name recall, reduced communication barriers and facilitated conversation between interdisciplinary colleagues. These results expand on prior literature done in a single department12 or single hospital site 11 16. A comparison of survey results before and after the intervention suggests the degree of this effect was modest when measured at the scale of a large university-based hospital.…”

Taking Up the Challenge to Improve Name and Role Recognition in the Operating Room

“…Of note, this study included patient feedback that is striking despite the small sample size: 100% of surveyed patients stated that the specific use of the cap made them feel “very + somewhat comfortable.” 11 (p263) Apparently, this pilot study was deemed successful, as several of the study authors reported in the March 2022 issue of Anesthesiology that labeled cloth surgical caps had been distributed to all team members for use in the perioperative area 16 . The sustainability of the name and role-labeled theater cap intervention has been similarly noted in a study by van Dalen et al, 17 which found that 44.8% of OR staff voluntarily used name and role stickers 1 year after implementation.…”

Surgical team perceptions of the surgical safety checklist in a tertiary hospital in Jordan: a descriptive qualitative study

“…, 2013). One potential strategy to improve compliance with the time-out phase is using the “Theatre Cap Challenge” by putting the name and the role of surgical team members on their surgical caps, therefore establishing positive safety culture by promoting communication in the OR (Van Dalen et al ., 2022).…”

“…To promote compliance and involve the whole team, the concept of risk and the perceived relevance of checklist elements for all team members should be addressed (Rydenf€ alt et al, 2013). One potential strategy to improve compliance with the timeout phase is using the "Theatre Cap Challenge" by putting the name and the role of surgical team members on their surgical caps, therefore establishing positive safety culture by promoting communication in the OR (Van Dalen et al, 2022).…”