Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS). Vignette 1 of 3. Situation Awareness: Staying Ahead of Potential Issues
RCSEd Communications Team
The Patient Safety Group (PSG) of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) are delighted to lend our enthusiastic support to the sixth World Patient Safety Day (WPSD). This event, established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2019, takes place on 17 September every year. It helps to raise global awareness amongst all stakeholders about key Patient Safety issues and foster collaboration between patients, health care workers, health care leaders and policy makers to improve patient safety. Each year a new theme is selected to highlight a priority patient safety area for action.
The theme set by the WHO for this year’s WPSD is “Improving diagnosis for patient safety”, recognising the vital importance of correct and timely diagnosis in ensuring patient safety and improving health outcomes.
Situation awareness involves the continuous process of gathering information, understanding it, and projecting future states. For instance, during a laparoscopic surgery, the lead surgeon's ability to anticipate complications based on the patient’s current condition and previous medical history is crucial. By maintaining high situation awareness, the surgical team can quickly identify and mitigate risks, ensuring a smooth and safe procedure. This foresight is instrumental in avoiding diagnostic errors and improving patient outcomes.
Written by the RCSEd NOTSS Committee:
Steven Yule (Chair)
Simon Paterson Brown
Richard Skipworth
Kenneth Walker
Francesca Stedman
Michael Carr
James Tomlinson
Alastair Murray
Chee Loong Yeap
Rosie Darwood
Shireen McKenzie
Gillian Hardman
Clare McNaught
Claire Falconer
Ashley McEwen
