Researchers at the University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital are investigating whether improving teamwork and communication among operating room (OR) staff can enhance patient safety during surgery. Studies have shown that many surgical complications are linked to issues in these "soft skills," such as leadership, communication, and collaboration. While medical training has traditionally focused on technical skills, researchers are now exploring the real-world impact of training in these interpersonal areas. To assess how well these skills are applied in actual surgeries, the team has implemented an innovative OR Black Box® at The Ottawa Hospital, which records audio, video, and patient data during procedures. This data will be analyzed to identify patterns in teamwork and communication, and how they relate to patient outcomes. The project is the first of its kind in Ottawa and aims to develop best practices to improve surgery safety, not just locally but globally.

The research team, led by Dr. Sylvain Boet, has already studied the most effective ways to teach these soft skills through simulations, but the OR Black Box now offers a unique opportunity to capture real-time operating room dynamics. The project is designed with patient privacy in mind, and patients are informed about the data collection process, with the option to opt-out. By studying the interaction between healthcare providers in the OR, the team hopes to identify actionable insights that could lead to safer and more efficient surgeries. This initiative, supported by various academic and healthcare organizations, is poised to be a significant advancement in improving surgical care.