ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on distractions and interruptions to clinical work that occur in the operating room (OR). It reviews relevant evidence from other clinical domains. The chapter examines the available evidence on the incidence of distractions and interruptions in the OR and the evidence for a link between the aspect of the OR environment and deteriorated performance/increased stress in surgeons. The empirical evidence on the role of the OR environment in the safety and the quality of surgical care is almost non-existent. In addition to the lack of empirical evidence, conceptual thinking in relation to the OR environment and its contribution to the delivery of safe surgical care is rather in its infancy. Empirical evidence on what the OR environment is like and what its potential impact is on surgical performance is scarce. Noise and music in the OR and their impact on performance have attracted some research attention, but the findings to date seem to be inconclusive.
