Assessment of the probability of human error occurring in the process of appendectomy operation using SPAR-H method

Abstract

Introduction: The irreparable consequences of human error in the health care sector have made patient safety an important principle in medical professions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the probability of human error in operating room personnel in the process of appendectomy operations.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed to identify and evaluate the probability of human error in operating room personnel's tasks in the process of appendectomy in Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd. Initially, by interviewing personnel and studying the process and procedures of the work, the job duties of the personnel were analyzed using HTA method. Finally, the probability of error was calculated using SPAR-H method for different tasks.

Results: The average human error probability for all tasks was 0.173. Also, the highest mean of error was related to anesthesiologist duties (0.23) and the least related to scrub duties (0.101).

Conclusion: The SPAR-H method can be used to analyze and quantify the probability of human error in the operating room. To reduce the likelihood of human error, we can reduce dependency by performing different tasks with different people and if possible with long time between them. Also, stress, complexity and procedures were identified as the most important factors affecting the probability of error.