ABSTRACT
The operation theater (OT) environment is charged with multiple inherent risks. So, the team in the OT and the patient brought for surgical treatment may come across various hazards that can be classified as: (a) physical and accidental hazards, (b) chemical hazards, (c) biological hazards, (d) fire hazards, and (e) other hazards, such as organizational, psychological, and atmospheric. Inadequate safety measures thus can result in multiple ill effects. Constant vigilance, awareness with timely intervention, maintenance of a specific operative procedure, and an educated team culture can make the OT environment a safe haven for the patient as well as for the theater team. The aim of this article is to identify and categorize the hazards that occur in the OT during surgery, and the related precautionary measures taken thereof for the safety of both the operating team and the patients who have the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to know the response of the relatives attending the squint surgery of their ward. A trained secretary administered an eight item questionnaire by live / telephonic interview. Of the 44 attendees, two left the Operation Theater before completion of the surgery. Mean age of the patients was 7.2 years ± 7.8 and that of the attendees was 36.1 years ± 8.5. Forty patients had a surgery under general anesthesia and four under local anesthesia. Eleven (25%) attendees experienced an increase in anxiety. Thirty-six (82%) attendees reported increased transparency, 38 (86%) reported increased confidence, and 43 (98%) reported increased awareness. None found any disadvantage. Twenty-seven (61%) recommended this practice for all and 16 (36%) recommended the practice selectively. The internal validity of the questionnaire was fair (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.6). It was concluded that the presence of relatives in the Operation Theater during the surgery could bring in more transparency, accountability, confidence, awareness, and trust.