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Reducing errors in the operating room

Surgical proficiency and quality assurance of execution

  • Surgical errors section
  • Published:
Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Technical operative errors cause surgical operative morbidity and adversely affect the clinical outcome of patients. Surgical proficiency thus underpins good and safe practice. In this context, standardization of endoscopic surgical operations and their execution are essential for the procurement and maintenance of quality assurance in endoscopic surgical practice. There is no clash between individual- (surgical proficiency) and system-based defense systems in the prevention of surgical errors — both underpin safe surgical practice. Although more human factors and surgical research are needed, it is possible to formulate and adopt a surgical error reduction system for endoscopic operations based on standardization of operations, surgical operative proficiency, and human reliability assessment and its related clinical counterpart, observational clinical human reliability assessment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Advanced University Studies of S'Anna, Pisa P.zza dei Martiri della Libertà n. 33, 56127, Pisa, Italy

    A. Cuschieri

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  1. A. Cuschieri
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Correspondence to A. Cuschieri.

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These are some patients whom we cannot help, there are none whom we cannot harm. —Arthur L. Bloomfield (1888–1962)

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Cuschieri, A. Reducing errors in the operating room. Surg Endosc 19, 1022–1027 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-005-8110-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-005-8110-7

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