Workflow Interruptions and Failed Action Regulation in Surgery Personnel

Elfering, Achim; Nützi, Marina; Koch, Patricia; Baur, Heiner (2014). Workflow Interruptions and Failed Action Regulation in Surgery Personnel. Safety and health at work, 5(1), pp. 1-6. Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 10.1016/j.shaw.2013.11.001

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Background
Workflow interruptions during surgery may cause a threat to patient's safety. Workflow interruptions were tested to predict failure in action regulation that in turn predicts near-accidents in surgery and related health care.

Methods
One-hundred-and-thirty-three theater nurses and physicians from eight Swiss hospitals participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. The study participation rate was 43%.

Results
Structural equation modeling confirmed an indirect path from workflow interruptions through cognitive failure in action regulation on near-accidents (p < 0.05). The indirect path was stronger for workflow interruptions by malfunctions and task organizational blockages compared with workflow interruptions that were caused by persons. The indirect path remained meaningful when individual differences in conscientiousness and compliance with safety regulations were controlled.

Conclusion
Task interruptions caused by malfunction and organizational constraints are likely to trigger errors in surgery. Work redesign is recommended to reduce workflow interruptions by malfunction and regulatory constraints.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology
07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Other Institutions > Teaching Staff, Faculty of Human Sciences
07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Other Institutions > Office of the Dean, Faculty of Human Sciences
07 Faculty of Human Sciences > Institute of Psychology > Work and Organisational Psychology

UniBE Contributor:

Elfering, Achim

Subjects:

100 Philosophy > 150 Psychology
300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology

ISSN:

2093-7911

Publisher:

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute

Language:

English

Submitter:

Diana Cristina Romano

Date Deposited:

25 Mar 2015 10:12

Last Modified:

02 Mar 2023 23:26

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.shaw.2013.11.001

PubMed ID:

24932412

Uncontrolled Keywords:

cognitive failure; occupational stress; patient safety

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.65569

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/65569

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