Workplace Distractions and Patient Safety Culture in Operating Rooms: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the association between operating room distractions and patient safety culture among multidisciplinary perioperative professionals.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the operating rooms of a university hospital in western Türkiye between October and December 2025. Data were collected from 80 health care professionals (30 nurses, 30 physicians, and 20 anesthesia technicians) using the Operating Room Distractions Index and the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture 2.0. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed.

Results: Nurses reported significantly higher distraction frequency than anesthesia technicians and physicians across several operating room distraction dimensions, with moderate to large effect sizes (η2=0.16-0.29). Communication-related distractions showed significant differences in contribution to error and target blocking, suggesting that communication interruptions may disrupt thought processes and increase the potential for error. Overall distraction frequency was negatively associated with organizational learning-continuous improvement (r=-0.229, P=0.041) and patient safety support from supervisors and clinical leaders (r=-0.233, P=0.037). No significant correlations were observed between distraction frequency and other patient safety culture dimensions.

Conclusions: Perceived operating room distractions varied across professional roles and were selectively associated with key dimensions of patient safety culture, particularly organizational learning. Communication-related interruptions may be especially important because they can disrupt thought processes and task progression. Addressing modifiable environmental and communication-related disruptions and strengthening system-level safety processes may contribute to safer surgical care.