title: Medical errors and patient safety in the operating room.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate medical errors in the operating room, attitudes of healthcare professionals in case of errors and educational needs of professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The descriptive study was conducted at a university hospital in Turkey from January 25 to February 14, 2011, and comprised operating room staff, including physicians, nurses, anaesthesia technicians and perfusion technicians. Data was obtained using a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 69 respondents, 45(65.2%) had experienced medical errors and 29(42%) had verbally warned the person who caused the error. The main cause of the medical errors was a lack of healthcare professionals and their inadequate qualifications, 51(73.9%); and insufficient communication, 41(59.4%). Coping with stress and communication 45(65.2%) and radiation safety 28(40.6%) were the most common educational needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient safety applications in the operating room can be improved by offering educational programmes, designing an easy reporting system, encouraging reporting of medical errors and active participation of healthcare professionals in decisions that might affect patient safety.
authors.affiliation: Acibadem University School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ugur
authors.affiliation: Yeditepe University Hospital, Nursing Services Directorship, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.affiliation: Yeditepe University Hospital, Nursing Services Directorship, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Songul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.affiliation: Anadolu Medical Center Patient Care and Nursing Services Directorship, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Elif
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akbal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors; D008875:Middle Aged; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000592:standards*; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Medical error, Operating room, Patient safety.