2021/02/01 by RWJ Mcleod, L Myint-Wilks, SE Davies +1 · 72 citations
Medicine · Psychology · #Artificial intelligence #Audiology #Cognitive psychology #Computer science #Distraction #Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders #MEDLINE #Medical emergency #Medicine #Music Therapy and Health #Noise (video) #Operating theatres #Psychology #Surgical Simulation and Training #Task (project management)
paper · open access · doi:10.1308/rcsann.2020.7001
published in Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England 103(2), 83-87 (Royal College of Surgeons of England)
crossref issued 2021/02/01 · crossref published 2021/02/01 · crossref published-print 2021/02/01 · openalex publication_date 2021/02/01 · crossref created 2021/02/09 · crossref deposited 2023/05/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/08/06 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
INTRODUCTION: Noise has been recognised to have a negative impact on performance and wellbeing in many settings. Average noise levels have been found to range between 51dB and 79dB in operating theatres. Despite these levels of noise, there is little research investigating their effect on surgical team functioning. METHODS: A literature review to look at the impact of noise in the operating theatre was performed on MEDLINE, which included the search terms 'noise' OR 'distraction' AND 'technical skill' OR 'Surgical skill' OR 'Operating Room'. Only 10 of 307 articles identified were deemed relevant. FINDINGS: Eight of ten studies found noise to be detrimental to communication and surgical performance, particularly regarding total errors and time to task completion. No studies found noise to be beneficial. Two studies found case-irrelevant verbal communication to be a frequent form of noise pollution in operating theatres; this is both perceived by surgeons to be distracting and delays patient care. CONCLUSION: Noise and irrelevant verbal communications were both found to be harmful to surgical performance, surgeon experience and team functioning.