FROM THE FIELDMembers' stories from the perioperative field as told in their own words
 |
'Red Zone' in the OR Submitted by: Sheila Haworth, RN Staff Nurse Memorial University Health Medical Center Savannah, Ga. |
OR nurses have found themselves amongst chaos at the end of a surgical case when it's time to do a closing count. Loud music, ringing telephones and casual conversation between staff members are common distractions in the operating room that can hinder accurate closing counts.
To combat this stressful atmosphere our hospital, Memorial University Health Medical Center,
Savannah, Ga., has established a "Red Zone" in its operating rooms.
The notion of a Red Zone started with the need to reduce medication errors in hospital units. It establishes a quiet, interruption-free zone around the Pyxis, an automated medication dispensing machine, in which the nurse can focus on accurately preparing medications. It is known that distractions can cause mistakes. Since medication errors are a serious safety issue in the medical profession, it was not taken lightly and something had to be done. The Red Zone has been an invaluable tool for many nursing units and can benefit other areas of the hospital as well.
In our hospital, it has been made policy to extend the Red Zone to the OR. At the beginning of the closing count, the Red Zone is established. The physician is then informed that the Red Zone has begun, radios are turned off, phones/pagers are left unanswered, and all unnecessary conversation ceases until the closing count has ended and is correct. The circulators and scrub technicians are responsible for maintaining the quiet environment while the count is being done.
I believe the suggestion for a Red Zone was well-received by management, who expedited a change in the closing count policy. There's also a feeling of empowerment among staff. According to Charlene McRae, ST, "[The Red Zone] gives you the quiet time to get your thoughts together, get organized, and to help make an accurate closing count."
Safety of the patient is our duty and the Red Zone enables us to carry this out much more efficiently and with authority.
Editor's note:
AORN Connections is launching this new online From the Field series to give members a way to share in their own stories of hope, recognition and innovation from the perioperative field.
Do you have a story to tell? Tell us about it. Send an e-mail to aornnews@aorn.org with your story, images with caption descriptions and permission to post your story and pictures online. You can also address questions to Carina Stanton, AORN Senior News Editor, by calling 800-755-2676, Ext. 269.
Read more stories From the Field.
Read more news in AORN Connections.