Improving communication in the operating room to enhance patient safety
Official title: A Human Factors Approach to Mitigating Speech Communication Interference in the Operating Room
Funded at University of Missouri Kansas City · NIH-11091467 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how noise in the operating room can make it harder for the surgical team to communicate, which might lead to mistakes, and it aims to find ways to improve communication and keep patients safer during surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri Kansas City NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $396,988 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HS029508-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091467 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing surgical procedures in operating rooms where communication is critical.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or those in non-surgical settings may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how noise in the operating room affects communication among surgical team members, which can lead to preventable errors. By applying Human Factors principles, the study aims to identify the sources of speech communication interference and develop evidence-based interventions to improve communication. The research will involve analyzing audio and video recordings of surgical procedures to understand the impact of the sound environment on team interactions and patient safety. Ultimately, the goal is to create a safer operating environment through better communication strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce surgical errors and improve patient safety during operations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that reducing noise levels in hospital settings can improve communication and patient safety, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sutkin, Gary — University of Missouri Kansas City
- Study coordinator: Sutkin, Gary
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.