Outcome analysis of the surgical team in open surgical repair of intact abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze how the experience of the surgical team went to impact the outcomes after open surgical repair (OSR) of intact abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). METHODS: This is a single-center, observational cohort study with retrospective analysis of all OR for intact AAA performed between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2022. The primary outcome was survival at 30 days and in follow-up, and a composite outcome of mortality and major complication. The secondary outcome was freedom from aorta-related reintervention. All outcomes were stratified according to the experience of the operating team (surgeons and anesthesiology). RESULTS: We analyzed 103 (7.2%) patients: 97 (94.2%) males and 6 (5.8%) females. The mean age was 76 ± 8 years (range, 55-93). The best possible team composition was present in 52 (50.5%) interventions. The follow-up index was 0.82 ± 0.18 (range, 0.6-1.0). Mean follow-up duration was 59 ± 43 months (range, 0-158). We observed no differences between teams in major complications (best, 17.3% vs mixed, 21.6%; OR: 0.4, P = 0.622), 30 days mortality (best, 0% vs mixed, 5.9%; OR: 7.6, P = 0.118) and composite outcome (best, 11.5% vs mixed, 17.6%; OR: 0.8, P = 0.416). Cox regression analysis identified the best possible team as a protective factor against the need for reintervention (hazard ratio: 0.2; 95% confidence interval: 0.06-0.88, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, OR of AAA yielded satisfactory results in terms of safety and efficacy independently of the team's experience. A more experienced team may protect against aorta-related reintervention.

Analysis of robot-specific operative time and surgical team anxiety level and its effect on alignment during robot-assisted TKA.

Adapting to robotic-assisted (RA) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is hindered by the surgeon's fear of extra time. The main purpose of this study was to determine the robot's operative time, and the secondary goals were to assess the surgical team's anxiety, implant location and size, and limb alignment. From February to April 2022, 40 participants participated in prospective research. The study included primary Cuvis joint active RA-TKA patients for end-stage arthritis, but conversion of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty to TKA, and patients with prior knee surgery were excluded. The active RA-TKA surgical time included surgeon-dependent and surgeon-independent/active robot time. The surgeon's anxiety was measured using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). The implant size/position and limb alignment were checked by post-operative weight-bearing lateral, anteroposterior, and full-length scanograms. Operative time specifically related to active RA-TKA was higher in the first 10 cases as against 10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cases which was observed to lower from cohort 2. A similar trend was observed for the surgical team's anxiety levels which seem to lower from cohort 2 (case 10-20). Cumulative experience of active RA-TKA showed no effect on the precision of implant alignment/ size, limb alignment and complications. The study showed progressive improvement in the surgical anxiety scores and reduction in operating time indicating the proficiency gained by the surgical team. Further no learning curve was involved in achieving the implant positioning and sizing, limb alignment with the absence of complications.

Examining workload variations among different surgical team roles, specialties, and techniques: a multicenter cross-sectional descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: A high workload may negatively impact the surgical team's performance and jeopardize patient safety. The aim of this study was to measure the workload of the surgical team across different surgical roles, specialties, and techniques in several hospitals. METHODS: This cross-sectional multicenter study was performed in the operating rooms of eight teaching hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. At the conclusion of each surgical procedure, all members of the surgical team completed the Surgery Task Load Index (SURG-TLX) questionnaire to assess workload levels. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlations, were performed to compare surgical roles, specialties, techniques, and surgical time on workload overall and by subscale. RESULTS: A total of 409 workload questionnaires were obtained from 76 surgical teams or cases, involving 346 surgical team members. The total workload among all participants was 32.41 ± 17.21. Surgical complexity, physical demands, and mental demands were the highest workload subscales and distraction was the lowest workload subscale. Cardiovascular specialty had a higher workload compared to other specialties. Open techniques resulted in a higher workload compared to minimally invasive techniques. Surgical technologists who act in both the role of circulating and scrub nurse (C&Ss) experienced the highest workload, followed by surgical residents and surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that the workload for some members of the surgical team is disproportionately high and is influenced by factors such as specialty, technique, role, and surgical duration. By knowing the distribution of workload among the members of the surgical team, efforts can be made to optimize the team members' workload.

Application of virtual reality technology combined with case-based learning in forward surgical team skill teaching for undergraduates / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To investigate the application of virtual reality technology combined with case-based learning in forward surgical team (FST) basic skill teaching for undergraduates.Methods:A total of 42 undergraduates who received clinical practice in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Navy Medical University from January 2020 to January 2021 were selected as research subjects, and they were randomly divided into experimental group (virtual reality technology combined with case-based learning for FST basic skill teaching) and control group (traditional teaching methods for FST basic skill teaching). A questionnaire survey and assessments were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching, and SPSS 23.0 was used to perform the t-test, the chi-square test, or the Fisher's exact test. Results:The questionnaire survey showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in the degree of overall satisfaction with teaching, comprehension and practice in learning, and post-learning memory, and compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores of improvement in theoretical knowledge (4.33±0.26 vs. 4.17±0.21, P<0.05), improvement in skill operation (4.32±0.22 vs. 4.12±0.27, P<0.05), improvement in the ability to analyze and solve practical problems (4.04±0.37 vs. 3.69±0.38, P<0.05), learning interest and enthusiasm (4.34±0.28 vs. 3.92±0.43, P<0.05), learning attention (4.21±0.35 vs. 3.81±0.34, P<0.05), and learning interaction (4.18±0.29 vs. 4.01±0.21, P<0.05). The results of assessments showed that compared with the control group, the experimental group had a significantly higher total score (85.96±5.35 vs. 77.03±7.29, P<0.05) and significantly better scores of theoretical knowledge (28.25±4.74 vs. 25.01±5.37, P<0.05) and skill operation (57.47±4.96 vs. 51.99±8.03, P<0.05). Conclusions:Virtual reality technology combined with case-based learning has unique advantages in FST basic skill teaching for undergraduates, and related studies and application research can be conducted in the future.

Ética en instrumentación quirúrgica / Ethics in surgical instrumentation

Es imprescindible en la práctica de la cirugía no sólo estudiar técnicas e instrumental en profundidad, sino también lo referido a las virtudes y valores morales del grupo humano quirúrgico para proveer una conducta ética intachable en el quirófano. La calidad de asistencia se valora a través del resultado de los servicios propuestos y obtenidos, sin dejar de lado aspectos ético-morales del instrumentador quirúrgico, cuya función principal es no dañar al paciente no sólo desde el punto de vista técnico, sino también desde el moral. Durante la presencia del enfermo en el quirófano siempre se exigen respuestas éticas al coordinar y proporcionar los cuidados para cubrir las necesidades detectadas, ya sean fisiológicas, psicológicas (el miedo, la ansiedad ante la cirugía) e incluso espirituales, pero con respeto a sus creencias y valores morales. El instrumentador, como parte esencial del grupo quirúrgico, debe refinar esos valores personales (por ejemplo, no participar en una cirugía urgente de un delincuente si existe un conflicto de interés), identificar sin sesgos o prejuicios el conocimiento de las leyes y códigos de conducta (evitar el abandono de una persona necesitada) y comprender los valores, creencias y principios éticos de los demás para así tomar una decisión racional ante un dilema principalmente ético. El equipo quirúrgico ostentará tanto los valores científico-técnicos como los personales sin entrar en conflicto con las creencias del paciente, porque, al tomar decisiones moral y éticamente válidas, actuará como protector de los derechos del enfermo en una cirugía.(AU)

In the practice of surgery it is essential not only to study techniques and instruments in depth, but also that referred to the virtues and moral values of the surgical team to provide an impeccable ethical conduct in the operating room. The quality of care is assessed through the result of the services proposed and obtained, without neglecting ethical-moral aspects of the surgical instrumentator whose main function is not to harm the patient not only from the technical point of view but morally. During the presence of the patient in the operating room, ethical responses are always required when coordinating and providing care to cover the needs detected, whether physiological, psychological (fear, anxiety before surgery) or spiritual, but with respect for their beliefs and moral values. The assistant or auxiliary surgical, as an essential part of the surgical team, must refine these personal values (for example, not participate in an urgent surgery of an offender if there is a conflict of interest), identify without bias or prejudice the knowledge of the laws and codes of conduct (avoid abandonment of a person in need) and understand the values, beliefs and ethical principles of others in order to make a rational decision in the face of a mainly ethical dilemma. The surgical team will hold both scientific-technical and personal values with beliefs without conflicting with those of the patient, because when making morally and ethically valid decisions, act as a protector of the rights of the patient in a surgery.(AU)

Exploring the competencies of operating room nurses in mobile surgical teams based on the Onion Model: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: With the frequent occurrence of public health emergencies, conflicts and natural disasters around the world, mobile surgical teams are becoming more crucial. The competency of the operating room (OR) nurse has a substantial impact on the effectiveness and quality of the surgical team's treatment, still there is limited knowledge about OR nurse competencies in mobile surgical teams. This study aimed to explore the competencies of OR nurses in mobile surgical teams based on the Onion Model. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study of participants from 10 mobile surgical teams in 2022. Twenty-one surgical team members were interviewed, including 15 OR nurses, four surgeons, and two anesthesiologists. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using Mayring's content analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-eight competencies were found in the data analysis, which were grouped into four major domains using the Onion Model. From the outer layer to the inner layer were knowledge and skills, professional abilities, professional quality, and personal traits. The qualitative data revealed several novel competencies, including triage knowledge, self and mutual medical aid, outdoor survival skills, and sense of discipline. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the Onion Model promotes the understanding of competency and strengthens the theoretical foundations of this study. New competencies can enrich the content of the competencies of OR nurses. The results of this study can be used for clinical recruitment, evaluation and training of OR nurses in mobile surgical teams. This study encourages further research to develop competency assessment tools and training programs for OR nurses.

Análisis de la atención sanitaria realizada en el buque escuela «Juan Sebastián de Elcano» durante diez años (2010-2020) / Analysis of health care performed on the Juan Sebastian de Elcano School Ship during ten years (2010-2020)

Introducción: El buque escuela Juan Sebastián de Elcano es un bergantín-goleta de la Armada. Debido a sus características y tipo de navegaciones, la asistencia sanitaria (prestada por un Role 1 embarcado y, puntualmente, por un equipo quirúrgico compuesto por un oficial médico cirujano general y un oficial médico anestesiólogo), está considerada un recurso esencial. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo sobre las atenciones médicas realizadas a bordo agrupadas por especialidad, pruebas médicas complementarias, consumo de hemoderivados, motivo de asistencia médica en puerto, número de evacuaciones hasta territorio nacional y tipo de consultas realizadas por telemedicina al Role 4 durante doce cruceros de navegación entre 2010 y 2020. Resultados: Las asistencias sanitarias más prevalentes han sido: traumatológicas (n=1.982, 22.04 %), seguidas de otorrinolaringológicas (n=1.234, 13,72 %) y finalmente la tercera especialidad con consultas más prevalentes fue medicina interna (n=1.125, 12,50 %). Se llevaron a cabo 112 interconsultas en puerto (primera causa odontología y segunda traumatología) y 24 evacuaciones a territorio nacional. Las pruebas complementarias más frecuentemente solicitadas fueron: control de estupefacientes y radiografías. Se realizaron 37 consultas de telemedicina y no se transfundió ninguna unidad de hemocomponentes durante el periodo analizado. Conclusiones: El estudio de la asistencia sanitaria en el buque escuela de la Armada ha revelado que la traumatología es la causa más prevalente de las consultas a bordo, seguida de las interconsultas en puerto, las consultas por telemedicina y evacuaciones en territorio nacional. Gracias a la labor de la Sanidad Militar a bordo es posible la función marinera, docente y embajadora en los mares. (AU)

Overview: Juan Sebastián de Elcano training ship is a brigantine-school of the Spanish Navy. Due to its characteristics and navigation type, health care (provided by a Role 1 on-board and occasionally enhanced by a surgical team that includes a general surgeon medical officer and an anesthesiologist medical officer), is considered an essential resource. Material and methods: Retrospective descriptive study of medical care provided on board, grouped by medical specialty, complementary tests, blood products consumption, reason of medical assistance in port, number of evacuations to national territory and type of consultations performed by telemedicine to Role 4 during twelve sailing cruises between 2010 and 2020. Results: The most prevalent healthcare services were traumatology (n=1.982, 22.04%), followed by otorhinolaryngology (n=1.234, 13.72%) and the third was internal medicine (n=1.125, 12.50%). 112 internal medicine consultations were conducted in port (dental first and traumatology second) and 24 evacuations to national territory. The most often requested complementary tests were drug control and X-rays. There were 37 telemedicine consultations and no unit of blood components were transfused during the analyzed period. Conclusions: The study of health care on the navy training ship has shown that traumatology is the most frequent cause of medical consultations on board, followed by internal medicine consultations in port, telemedicine consultations and evacuations to national territory. Thanks to the work of the Military Health on board, it is possible to sail, teach and be ambassador on the seas. (AU)

Análisis de la atención sanitaria realizada en el buque escuela «Juan Sebastián de Elcano» durante diez años (2010-2020) / Analysis of health care performed on the Juan Sebastian de Elcano School Ship during ten years (2010-2020)

Introducción: El buque escuela Juan Sebastián de Elcano es un bergantín-goleta de la Armada. Debido a sus características y tipo de navegaciones, la asistencia sanitaria (prestada por un Role 1 embarcado y, puntualmente, por un equipo quirúrgico compuesto por un oficial médico cirujano general y un oficial médico anestesiólogo), está considerada un recurso esencial. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo sobre las atenciones médicas realizadas a bordo agrupadas por especialidad, pruebas médicas complementarias, consumo de hemoderivados, motivo de asistencia médica en puerto, número de evacuaciones hasta territorio nacional y tipo de consultas realizadas por telemedicina al Role 4 durante doce cruceros de navegación entre 2010 y 2020. Resultados: Las asistencias sanitarias más prevalentes han sido: traumatológicas (n=1.982, 22.04 %), seguidas de otorrinolaringológicas (n=1.234, 13,72 %) y finalmente la tercera especialidad con consultas más prevalentes fue medicina interna (n=1.125, 12,50 %). Se llevaron a cabo 112 interconsultas en puerto (primera causa odontología y segunda traumatología) y 24 evacuaciones a territorio nacional. Las pruebas complementarias más frecuentemente solicitadas fueron: control de estupefacientes y radiografías. Se realizaron 37 consultas de telemedicina y no se transfundió ninguna unidad de hemocomponentes durante el periodo analizado. Conclusiones: El estudio de la asistencia sanitaria en el buque escuela de la Armada ha revelado que la traumatología es la causa más prevalente de las consultas a bordo, seguida de las interconsultas en puerto, las consultas por telemedicina y evacuaciones en territorio nacional. Gracias a la labor de la Sanidad Militar a bordo es posible la función marinera, docente y embajadora en los mares. (AU)

Overview: Juan Sebastián de Elcano training ship is a brigantine-school of the Spanish Navy. Due to its characteristics and navigation type, health care (provided by a Role 1 on-board and occasionally enhanced by a surgical team that includes a general surgeon medical officer and an anesthesiologist medical officer), is considered an essential resource. Material and methods: Retrospective descriptive study of medical care provided on board, grouped by medical specialty, complementary tests, blood products consumption, reason of medical assistance in port, number of evacuations to national territory and type of consultations performed by telemedicine to Role 4 during twelve sailing cruises between 2010 and 2020. Results: The most prevalent healthcare services were traumatology (n=1.982, 22.04%), followed by otorhinolaryngology (n=1.234, 13.72%) and the third was internal medicine (n=1.125, 12.50%). 112 internal medicine consultations were conducted in port (dental first and traumatology second) and 24 evacuations to national territory. The most often requested complementary tests were drug control and X-rays. There were 37 telemedicine consultations and no unit of blood components were transfused during the analyzed period. Conclusions: The study of health care on the navy training ship has shown that traumatology is the most frequent cause of medical consultations on board, followed by internal medicine consultations in port, telemedicine consultations and evacuations to national territory. Thanks to the work of the Military Health on board, it is possible to sail, teach and be ambassador on the seas. (AU)

Contextualizing the tone of the operating room in practice: drawing on the literature to connect the dots.

The study of teamwork in the operating room has made significant strides in uncovering key constructs which shape safe and effective intraoperative care. However, in recent years, there have been calls to understand teamwork in the operating room more fully by embracing the complexity of the intraoperative environment. We propose the construct of tone as a useful lens through which to understand intraoperative teamwork. In this article, we review the literature on culture, shared mental models, and psychological safety, linking each to the construct of tone. By identifying tone as a theoretical orientation to demonstrate the overlap between these concepts, we aim to provide a starting point for new ways to understand intraoperative team dynamics.

Conventional Resilience and the Impact of Catastrophic Injury Exposure on Special Operations Surgical Teams.

This article presents a justification for using an ethnographic approach to research resilience. Our hypothesis is that the conventional resilience construct is ineffective in achieving its stated goal of mitigating diagnosable stress pathologies because it is grounded in a set of assumptions that overlook human experience when examining human performance in combat. To achieve this goal, we (1) describe the evolution of the strategic framework within which the conventional resilience construct is defined; (2) highlight certain limiting assumptions entailed in this framework; (3) explain how bottom-up ethnographic research relates the medic's practical performance to military requirements and mission capabilities; and (4) articulate the unique elements of our study that widen the aperture of the conventional resilience construct. We conclude by gesturing to initial research findings.

Thoracoabdominal Aortic Replacement Together with Curative Oncological Surgery in Retroperitoneal and Spinal Tumours.

Malignancies with an extended encasement or infiltration of the aorta were previously considered inoperable. This series demonstrates replacement and subsequent resection of the thoracoabdominal aorta and its large branches as an adjunct to curative radical retroperitoneal and spinal tumor resection. Five consecutive patients were enrolled between 2016 and 2020, suffering from cancer of unknown primary, pleomorphic carcinoma, chordoma, rhabdoid sarcoma, and endometrial cancer metastasis. Wide surgical resection was the only curative option for these patients. For vascular replacement, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used as a partial left-heart bypass. The early technical success rate was 100% for vascular procedures and all patients underwent complete radical tumour resection with negative margins. All patients required surgical revision (liquor leak, n = 2; hematoma, n = 3; bypass revision, n = 1; bleeding, n = 1; biliary leak, n = 1). During follow-up (average 47 months, range 22-70) primary patency rates of aortic reconstructions and arterial bypasses were 100%; no patient suffered from recurrent malignant disease. Thoracoabdominal aortic replacement with rerouting of visceral and renal vessels is feasible in oncologic patients. In highly selected young patients, major vascular surgery can push the limits of oncologic surgery further, allowing a curative approach even in extensive retroperitoneal and spinal malignancies.

The effect of anti-fatigue floor mat on pain and fatigue levels of surgical team members: A crossover study.

As ergonomics is important to maintain comfort, this study aimed to examine the effect of anti-fatigue floor mats on pain and fatigue levels of surgical team members. Thirty-eight members participated in this crossover-designed study with no-mat and with-mat conditions, separated by a one-week washout period. They stood on the 15 mm thick rubber anti-fatigue floor mat and on the standard antistatic polyvinyl chloride flooring surface during the surgical procedures. Subjective ratings of pain and fatigue levels were measured pre and after-surgery for each experimental condition using the Visual Analogue Scale and Fatigue-Visual Analogue Scale scales. The after-surgery pain and fatigue levels for the with-mat condition were significantly lower than the no mat condition (p < .05). Consequently, anti-fatigue floor mats are effective in decreasing pain and fatigue levels of surgical team members during surgical procedures. Using anti-fatigue mats may be a practical and easy way to prevent discomfort that is often experienced by surgical teams.

Differences in perceptions of capability, autonomy, and expectations between residents and surgical team members in executing EPAs in Ethiopian medical education.

Background: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are units of professional practice that are defined as tasks or responsibilities that are entrusted to an unsupervised execution by a trainee. In 2021, a framework of 29 EPAs was developed for surgical residency training programs in Ethiopia, with the goal of residents being able to perform independently by the time they graduate. However, studies show that surgical residents lack confidence and are unable to execute EPAs autonomously upon graduation, and concerns have been raised about graduate competencies in EPA execution. The goal of this research is to assess how surgical team members judge/perceive residents' performance in executing these EPAs autonomously at the time of graduation and how residents rate their own capability and autonomy in executing EPAs in order to systematically introduce and implement EPAs in Ethiopian medical education. Methods: A survey was conducted in the Departments of Surgery at four residency training institutions in Ethiopia. All eligible surgical team members and final-year general surgery residents were invited to participate. Surgical team members were asked to rate the observed performance of a group of graduating surgical residents in each of the 29 EPAs, and residents were asked to rate their own capability in executing EPAs. The analysis focused on variations in performance ratings between surgical team members and residents, as well as across surgical team members. Results: A total of 125 surgical team members and 49 residents participated in this study. Residents rate their competence in performing these EPAs higher than surgical team members, mean 4.2 (SD = 0.63) vs. 3.7 (SD = 0.9). A statistically significant difference in perceptions of capability, autonomy, and expectations in executing EPAs was observed between the two groups of study (p = 0.03, CI: 0.51-0.95), as well as within surgical team members (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Differences in perceptions of capability, autonomy, and expectations between residents and surgical team members, as well as within faculty members, were seen in executing EPAs. There were concerns about graduate surgical residents' competence to execute EPAs autonomously at the time of graduation. Surgical team members perceived that a set of graduating surgical residents are not yet safe to perform these EPAs independently (without supervision) and still requires distant supervision.

Moving beyond teamwork in the operating room to facilitating mutual professional respect.

Psychological safety enables the interpersonal risk-taking necessary for providing safer patient care in the operating room (OR). Limited studies look at psychological safety in the OR from the perspectives of each highly specialized team member. Therefore, we investigated each member's perspective on the factors that influence psychological safety in the OR. Interviews were conducted with operative team members of a level 1 trauma center in central Texas. The interviews were transcribed, de-identified, and coded by two investigators independently, and thematic analysis was performed. Responses were collected from 21 participants representing all surgical team roles (attending surgeons, attending anesthesiologists, circulating nurses, nurse anesthetists, scrub techs, and residents). Circulating nurse responses were redacted for confidentiality (n = 1). Six major themes influencing psychological safety in the OR were identified. Psychological safety is essential to better, safer patient care. Establishing a climate of mutual respect and suspended judgment in an OR safe for learning will lay the foundation for achieving psychological safety in the OR. Team exercises in building rapport and mutual understanding are important starting points.

Factors that enhance compliance with the Surgical Safety Checklist.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that its Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) has resulted in significant reductions in morbidity and mortality. Despite its proven success, meaningful compliance with the Surgical Safety Checklist initiative has been low. AIMS: The authors sought to identify and explore published research on factors that enhance compliance with the SSC within surgical team members. METHODS: A review of the literature published between January 2017 and January 2021 was undertaken. Six databases were searched, and 1340 studies were screened for eligibility. The 17 studies included were critically appraised using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool. FINDINGS: Three main themes were identified: training and innovations; process adaptations and team leadership. CONCLUSION: This review of the literature draws attention to the complexities of checklist compliance and identifies the need for training, leadership and adaptation to new safety processes.

Whole Blood Storage Temperature Investigation in Austere Environments.

INTRODUCTION: Military medical research has affirmed that early administration of blood products and timely treatment save lives. The US Navy's Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System (ERSS) is a Role 2 Light Maneuver team that functions close to the point of injury, administering blood products and providing damage-control resuscitation and surgery. However, information is lacking on the logistical constraints regarding provisions for and the stability of blood products in austere environments. METHODS: ERSS conducted a study on the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility. Expired but properly stored units of stored whole blood (SWB) were subjected to five different storage conditions, including combinations of passive and active refrigeration. The SWB was monitored continuously, including for external ambient temperatures. The time for the SWB to rise above the threshold temperature was recorded. RESULTS: The main outcome of the study was the time for the SWB to rise above the recommended storage temperature. Average ambient temperature during the experiment involving conditions 1 through 4 was 25.6°C (78.08°F). Average ambient temperature during the experiment involving condition 5 was 34.8°C (94.64°F). Blood temperature reached the 6°C (42.8°F) threshold within 90 minutes in conditions 1 and 2, which included control and chemically activated ice packs in the thermal insulated chamber (TIC). Condition 2 included prechilling the TIC in a standard refrigerator to 4°C (39.2°F), which kept the units of SWB below the threshold temperature for 490 minutes (approximately 8 hours). Condition 4 entailed prechilling the TIC in a standard freezer to 0.4°C (32.72°F), thus keeping the units of SWB below threshold for 2,160 minutes (i.e., 36 hours). Condition 5 consisted of prechilling the TIC to 3.9°C (39.02°F) in the combat blood refrigerator, which kept the SWB units below the threshold for 780 minutes (i.e., 13 hours), despite a higher average ambient temperature of almost +10°C (50°F). CONCLUSION: Combining active and passive refrigeration methods will increase the time before SWB rises above the threshold temperature. We demonstrate an adaptable approach of preserving blood product temperature despite refrigeration power failure in austere settings, thereby maintaining mission readiness to increase the survival of potential casualties.

Familiarity of surgical teams: Impact on laparoscopic procedure time.

BACKGROUND: Surgical performance is a team effort. We examine whether the familiarity among laparoscopic team members will influence the procedure time (PT). METHODS: A team familiarity score (TFS) and an Index of difficulty of surgery (IDS) was calculated for each of the 360 laparoscopic procedures. Simple linear, multiple linear regressions, and random forest regressions were used for data analyses. RESULTS: Simple linear regression shows for every 1% increase in TFS, PT decreases by about 0.24% (p < 0.001); 7% of PT variability can be explained by TFS alone. Multiple linear regression reported that 49% of PT variability can be explained when considering IDS, team size, and TFS as influencing factors. Random forest regression reported that 52% of PT variability can be explained by taking TFS, Team Size, Patient Age, and IDS into the model. CONCLUSION: Team familiarity makes a small but significant contribution to the enhancing of surgical team performance in laparoscopic procedure.

Hierarchical Task Analysis Reimagined as a Planning Tool for Surgery During Exploration Space Flight.

Background: Preparation for exploration class space flight requires planning to support human life in many circumstances including healthcare emergencies such as the need for acute surgical care, a notable example of which is appendicitis. Although performing a laparoscopic appendectomy on Earth is routine for a trained general surgeon, it is far from routine for a non-surgeon working in microgravity where IVs do not drip, drains do not drain, and gaseous anesthetic is out of the question. Because the procedure for laparoscopic appendectomy is so well documented, it was the ideal procedure on which to base a study on how to deconstruct a surgical procedure to examine all actions, skills, equipment, and supplies needed for success by non-surgeons working in an extreme environment. Study Design: Our challenge was to develop a task analysis model robust enough to include 3 performers (in the roles of surgeon, assistant, and anesthesiologist) including each action and instrument or supply item needed in chronological order, while indicating which actions were completed independently and which were done in tandem. We also had to indicate where variations in the actions would be determined by the negative response of the patient (failure mode), and which actions and supply items needed further research to accommodate working in microgravity. We opted to begin with a hierarchical task analysis model (HTA) because the steps in the task are sequential; but we expanded the typical linear presentation of data to a multi-column spread sheet with active links to instructional video clips where needed. Content development was an iterative process beginning with a scoping review of literature to select a baseline task analysis of the procedure. The SAGES 2010 approach was selected as most comprehensive, but logically focused on the surgeon's performance with few references to the assistant or anesthesiologist. Those gaps were filled using content from training materials developed for surgical technicians and nurse anesthetists. The second step was an expert review of the spread sheet to identify gaps and inadequacies. The third step was a minute comparison of spread sheet content to actions and equipment as documented on 2 videotapes of the procedure performed by our team surgeon on otherwise healthy patients. The final review was accomplished by replicating the procedure on 360° video (with narration) using the spread sheet as a guide, then cross checking and correcting the spread sheet to correspond with the 360° video. This test procedure was performed on a lightly preserved, fresh cadaver since working at that very slow, deliberate pace would not be in the best interest of an actual patient. Results: In this study, simulation was actually used to test the expanded HTA rather than to evaluate a learner. The final spread sheet included 178 lines, 13 columns, 13 illustrations, and 4 active links to instructional video clips. Thirteen items or issues were identified as needing further research, 8 action sequences were identified as generalizable skills, and 27 supply or equipment items were identified as multipurpose. Excluding the pharmaceuticals necessary for IV general anesthesia (that research is on-going), we were able to replicate a laparoscopic appendectomy on a fresh cadaver using no more than 30 items. The procedure was done using 3 trocars with very few instrument exchanges through the trocars since the surgical assistant assumed the role of laparoscopic camera operator during the procedure. Conclusion: An expanded HTA of a surgical procedure can produce many useful outcomes including integrated training for all team members, review of instrumentation and supplies and, in our case, identifying areas for adapting to an extreme environment. Using an interdisciplinary team including instructional designers, subject matter experts from medicine and biomedical engineering, and media production enriched the process.

Effect of Surgical Team Communication on Adherence to Opioid Discharge Guidelines in Post-Operative Inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: Current opioid prescribing guidelines state that post-operative inpatients who do not receive opioids in the 24 hours preceding discharge do not require an opioid prescription on discharge. This study was designed to assess providers' understanding of opioid discharge guidelines and explore drivers of adherence. DESIGN: An electronic survey was released which assessed knowledge of opioid discharge guidelines and probed surgical team communication. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine differences between provider types. Spearman's correlation evaluated relationships between estimated and observed adherence to guidelines. SETTING: Yale New-Haven Hospital, (tertiary, university-based) PARTICIPANTS: Surgical residents, advanced practice providers (APPs) and attendings who discharged inpatients with opioids between November 2017-August 2019 RESULTS: The response rate was 36% (90/253), including 36% (49/136) of residents, 23% (13/56) of APPs, and 46% (28/61) of attendings. Seventy eight percent of participants believed patients who met the guideline should "never" or "sometimes" receive opioids on discharge. There was a significant difference between attending preferences and what residents (H22 = 202.7, p = 0.0001) and APPs (H22 = 24.6, p = 0.003) believed were the attending's preferences. Eleven percent of attendings preferred their patients to "most of the time" or "always" receive opioids on discharge, while 45% of residents and 54% of APPs reported the same. Overall, 57% of attendings reported they "most of the time" or "always" communicated their discharge preferences while 12% of residents (H22 = -20.4, p = 0.0003) and 8% of APPs (H22 = -23.5, p = 0.003) reported the same. There was no correlation between all groups' estimated adherence to the guidelines and observed adherence (rs = 0.135, p = 0.206). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that surgical residents, APPs, and attendings are aware of the guideline but breakdowns in communication between the attending and the surgical team may contribute to deviation from this guideline. Improving communication may lead to improved adherence to post-operative opioid discharge prescribing guidelines.