The effects of a hands-free communication device system in a surgical suite

J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2011 Jan-Feb;18(1):70-2. doi: 10.1136/jamia.2009.001461. Epub 2010 Nov 27.

Abstract

This case report describes a qualitative investigation into how a Hands-free Communication Device (HCD) system impacted communication among anesthesia staff in a pediatric surgical suite. The authors recruited a purposive sample that included anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, circulating nurses, a charge nurse, and a postanesthesia care unit nurse. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and observations, then analyzed using a constant comparison approach. The results corroborate and enrich themes that were discovered in a previous qualitative study of HCD systems: (1) communication access, (2) control, (3) training, (4) environment and infrastructure. The results also generated new subthemes and themes: (1) technical control, (2) choosing communication channels, and (3) reliability. The authors conclude that HCD systems profoundly impacted communication in a largely positive way, although reliability of the technology remained an issue. The authors' findings contribute a valuable insight into the growing body of knowledge about implementation and use of HCD systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesiology*
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Efficiency, Organizational
  • Humans
  • Local Area Networks*
  • Organizational Case Studies
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration
  • Pediatrics
  • Perioperative Care*
  • Telephone*
  • United States
  • Wireless Technology*