Inducing Safer Electrosurgical Handpiece Storage.

Background Improper storage of the electrosurgical handpiece has been identified as an operating room hazard. OBJECTIVE To test among representative surgical personnel two different methods of improving safety performance: a demonstration/lecture session, and improved equipment arrangement on the operating field. METHODS A field experiment occurred in the classroom and in the operating room. Subjects were recruited from a surgical department in a single institution. After videotaping baseline behavior, interventions were made in education and subsequently in apparatus layout. Videotaping and behavioral coding were repeated after each intervention. Written tests preceded and followed the training lecture. RESULTS Results varied among team members and different aspects of the equipment. The surgeons knew the manufacturers' designated safe practice, but they did not routinely follow it, even after additional instructions and redesign of the equipment setup. Other team members responded to the interventions and changed their storage-related behavior. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates a need for effective means to help surgical teams maintain a safe environment while using hazardous technologies.