Distractions in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory: impact for cardiologists and patient safety (2 December 2020)

Summary

The aim of this study from Mahadevan et al. was to understand human factors (HF) contributing to disturbances during invasive cardiac procedures, including frequency and nature of distractions, and assessment of operator workload. They observed 194 cardiac procedures in three adult cardiac catheterisation laboratories over 6 weeks.

The study found that fewer than half of all procedures were completed without interruption/distraction. The majority were unnecessary and without relation to the case or list. The authors propose the introduction of a ‘sterile cockpit’ environment within catheter laboratories, as adapted from aviation and used in surgical operating theatres, to minimise non-emergent interruptions and disturbances, to improve operator conditions and overall patient safety.