Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena

Abstract

Non-Technical Skills (NTS) constitute a set of professional skills, complementary to the technical skills deemed necessary for the performance of safe performance in high-risk work environments. They can be divided into three broad categories: cognitive skills (situational awareness and decision making), social and interpersonal skills (communication, teamwork and leadership) and personal skills (ability to manage stress and fatigue). The interest in training and the development of these skills was born in the aviation sector. The successes achieved by the inclusion of specific NTS training programs in this field, in terms of quality and safety of performance, stimulated researches related to these skills in other high-risk work contexts, such as healthcare. In particular, within the operating room they constitute a fundamental role in the prevention of adverse events, which may constitute a danger, even lethal, for the patient. In the light of this scientific evidence, it is necessary to develop tools for training and evaluation of the specific NTS of each professionist that operates inside the operating room. To address these needs, behavioral assessment systems have been designed for anesthetists (ANTS), surgeons (NOTS) and scrub nurse (SPLINTS). They are useful tools not only because they allow the evaluation and training of NTS in newly hired staff, but also because they provide a common language to discuss these techniques within the team, whose members come from different backgrounds and experiences. In this way, the discussion of topics relevant to team work is also encouraged, such as assertive communication and the exchange of case relevant information, with important consequences in terms of safety for the patient and satisfaction of the entire team.