Optimizing Performance and Safety in the Operating Room: A Case Study of the Institut Mutualiste Montsouris with SafeTeam Academy

Introduction

In the healthcare sector, excellence in care and patient safety are constant imperatives. To achieve these goals, the Institut Mutualiste Montsouris (IMM) partnered with SafeTeam Academy to implement an innovative training initiative for operating room professionals. This approach, focused on immersive simulation and constructive debriefing, enabled participants to consolidate their skills, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and develop a concrete action plan aimed at continuously improving the performance and humanization of the operating room.....

Context and Challenges of the Training

The operating room is a highly technical environment where each participant plays a crucial role in the success of procedures and patient safety. The complexity of the procedures, the diversity of specialties, and the time constraints require seamless coordination and effective communication between teams.....

IMM, aware of these key challenges, wanted to invest in innovative training for its operating room teams. This initiative is part of a comprehensive approach to continuous improvement in the quality and safety of care, placing the human factor at the heart of its concerns…

Training Objectives

The training implemented by SafeTeam Academy aimed to achieve several key objectives...:

•Continuous Improvement: Establish a dynamic of continuous improvement of professional practices in order to offer the best possible care to patients.

•Human Factor: Promote collective intelligence, active listening, and the sharing of experience among professionals to strengthen team cohesion and effectiveness.

•Building Relationships: Consolidate interprofessional relationships, encourage the development of non-technical skills (NTS), improve communication, and promote mutual support within the operating room operational.

Training Structure and Methodology

The training was structured around two complementary phases, promoting active learning and the practical application of knowledge:

1.Training by Video Simulation: Participants completed an e-learning module incorporating immersive simulation scenarios. This innovative teaching approach allows for the recreation of realistic clinical scenarios, confronting professionals with complex situations and encouraging them to make informed decisions.....

2.Group Debriefing: Following the simulation, participants benefited from a group debriefing facilitated by experts from SafeTeam Academy. This space for exchange and reflection allowed for the analysis of individual and collective practices, the identification of strengths and areas for improvement, and the collaborative development of a concrete action plan adapted to the specific characteristics of the IMM operating room.... The debriefing philosophy was based on fundamental principles such as kindness, mutual listening, collaboration, co-construction, and non-judgment.....

Training Modules Offered

Three distinct training modules were offered, targeting specific issues in the operating room and bringing together various professionals such as scrub nurses, nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons:

•“Checklist & Teamwork in the Operating Room”

◦ This module aimed to optimize the use of the surgical checklist as a team, improve the reliability of communication, encourage the expression of concerns, and effectively prevent and manage task interruptions.... Participants highlighted the importance of communication for patient safety and the need to adapt questions to patients.....

• "Strengthening crisis management in robotic surgery"

◦ This module aimed to enable participants to anticipate threats and risks of error in robotic surgery, to structure and secure teamwork, and to develop their clinical reasoning and situational awareness in emergency situations..... The importance of communication and designating a "friendly surgeon" in case of difficulty was emphasized.....

• "Cardiorespiratory Arrest During Anesthetic Induction"

◦ This module focused on the optimal management of cardiorespiratory arrest in the operating room, following the recommendations of the 2021 ERC and the SFAR. Participants worked on workload management, leadership and followership, as well as the importance of closed-loop communication and the rapid designation of a leader.....

Analysis of Participant Feedback

Participants expressed overall satisfaction with the quality and relevance of the training..... They particularly appreciated:

• The interactive and immersive format of the video simulation, which allows for a concrete and realistic simulation....

• The relevance of the proposed scenarios, which reflect the challenges encountered daily in the operating room....

• The opportunity to compare their practices with those of other professionals, thus promoting exchange and mutual learning.

• The quality of the discussions during the group debriefings, which allow for an in-depth analysis of situations and the co-creation of solutions....

• The availability of the training at any time, allowing participants to easily integrate it into their schedules.

However, some weaknesses were also identified and taken into account to improve future sessions...:

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• The wording of some test questions/answers, perceived as ambiguous or lacking clarity.....

• Difficulties navigating the platform for some users.....

• The lack of time and quiet to complete the training in the workplace, highlighting the need to schedule dedicated time slots for continuing education.....

Action Plans and Prospects for Improvement

Following the group debriefings, participants developed concrete action plans aimed at improving performance and safety within their teams..... These actions include:

• Improving communication and teamwork by using closed-loop communication techniques and encouraging the expression of concerns....

• Systematizing the use of the surgical checklist at each stage of the procedure, adapting it to the specificities of each specialty and involving all team members....

• Implementing regular crisis management simulations, allowing teams to practice reacting effectively to emergency situations....

• Adapting cognitive aids to the structure and specificities of the operating room by defining clear roles and practicing their routine use....

• Defining the roles and responsibilities of each in an emergency situation, by designating a clearly identifiable leader and promoting communication and coordination....

Conclusion

The training initiative conducted by SafeTeam Academy at the Institut Mutualiste Montsouris was a resounding success, mobilizing 138 operating room professionals. Thanks to an innovative and participatory teaching approach, this training strengthened team skills, improved interdisciplinary collaboration, and enabled the joint development of a concrete action plan for an ever safer, more efficient, and more humane operating room....

SafeTeam Academy is proud of this fruitful collaboration with the IMM and reaffirms its commitment to supporting healthcare facilities in their continuous improvement of the quality of care and patient safety. By investing in the training and skills development of their teams, healthcare facilities can create a safer, more efficient, and more rewarding work environment for all professionals, while providing the best possible care to patients.