The introduction of an emergency safety protocol coupled with simulation training in robotic surgery, has enabled a more cohesive and efficient response to emergencies

Abstract

With the increasing popularity of robotic surgery, arise a unique set of challenges. In-order to minimise the risk and optimise patient safety, teams need to anticipate these, plan and train to improve familiarity with the nuances of robotic surgery. Human factors and simulation training (ST) are now an integral part of surgery and we have extended these principles to our robotic practice. From our experience with emergencies and a thorough debrief, we have realised the importance of an emergency safety protocol (ESP) for the undocking of the robot, and how training with the correct systems in place optimises our non-technical skills and improves our efficiency. This protocol is used across all robotic specialties allowing for clear communication, situational awareness and role clarity, thereby reducing errors in a high-pressured environment. We aim to share our protocol, highlight the importance of ST and show that coupling of the ESP with ST, including addressing a disrupted power supply and how to avoid the resulting loss of image capture, is where our paper contributes to the current literature. There is a paucity in the literature regarding emergency undocking, and also techniques for avoiding power interruptions, for which we utilise the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system. By sharing experiences and systems used, we create an opportunity that will result in a culture of shared learning in the robotic community, thereby encouraging other robotic teams to review their protocols and training practices and adapt as necessary.

Keywords: Emergency protocol; Emergency undocking; Human factors; Patient safety; Robotic surgery; Surgery; Uninterruptible power supply.