Staff perceptions of the effects of an integrated laparoscopic theatre environment on teamwork

Laparoscopic surgery has now replaced traditional open surgery as the preferred method of intervention for many procedures. Although there are advantages of laparoscopic surgery to the patient, the technology puts additional strain on the surgical team. There are three aspects to the theatre environment that need to be considered: staff safety, patient safety and cost efficiency. We have previously published on the effect of the laparoscopic theatre environment on staff safety. To our knowledge, there are no data on the effect of integrated theatres on surgical teamwork. We therefore wished to determine staff perception of the effect that the integrated theatre environment had on their working interactions and behaviour in the operating room. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Twenty-seven theatre staff (nurses, consultants and trainees) working in a laparoscopic theatre were asked to complete a questionnaire. This included general demographics and their perception regards the theatre environment and team interaction. Visual analogue scores were used to compare the integrated and non-integrated theatres. Non-parametric statistical analysis was used. Overall the theatre team members had a strong preference for working in an integrated theatre environment. They felt that it resulted in greater efficiency, better teamwork and reduced stress levels. Differences were highly significant (p < 0.0001). This is the first paper ever to look at the impact of the theatre environment on comfort and behaviour of medical and nursing staff involved in carrying out laparoscopic surgery. It is only by assessing these factors and the quality of the operating theatre environment that the true benefits of integrated theatres will be appreciated. This investment not only protects staff and patients but these data suggest that the improved behaviours may further enhance safety and also create greater efficiency resulting in cost savings.