Nontechnical skills also matter in surgical patient safety

Editor's Note

Technical and nontechnical skills are both important to successfully and safely perform surgical procedures, according to recommendations presented August 5 at the National Surgical Patient Safety Summit in Rosemont, Illinois.

Among the recommendations were that the surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses, and support staff ensure consistent use of surgical safety strategies and tools, including:

• patient-centered shared decision making and timely informed consent
• standardized surgical site marking procedures
• accurate surgical information transfer
• integrated electronic medical records
• effective team communication and coordination.

The 2-day event, which included more than 100 representatives from professional associations, insurers, healthcare systems, payers, and government agencies, was sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.

NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS AND THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSEMONT, IL (August 5, 2016): Patient safety before, during, and after surgery requires an appropriately educated, committed and empowered health care team, according to recommendations being presented today at the inaugural National Surgical Patient Safety Summit (NSPSS).