Pulling Back The Curtains

Those of us who have never been inside an operating room would be shocked. Surgery is not how it is depicted on television, demanding intense focus and clear communication at all times. In reality, surgery can have a lot of downtime for many team members, as they are only required at critical moments. Even those who are actively engaged in the the operation feel the need to stave off the monotony of performing the same routine tasks every day.

Loud Music In The Operating Room

Feil explains that loud music is a common distraction that is particularly egregious. Loud music can be very distracting for many doctors, but professional politics prevent them from stopping it altogether. Sometimes doctors don’t get along with each other, and Feil cites several cases where doctors felt that they were intentionally being targeted with music that they felt was distracting and irritating.

To learn more about distractions in the operating room, patient safety, and how we can improve medical care in the United States, check out some of these recent episodes: