Process-Model-Driven Guidance to Reduce Surgical Procedure Errors: An Expert Opinion

Leon J Osterweil; Heather M Conboy; Lori A Clarke; George S Avrunin

doi:10.1053/j.semtcvs.2019.02.030

Process-Model-Driven Guidance to Reduce Surgical Procedure Errors: An Expert Opinion

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2019;31(3):453-457. doi: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2019.02.030. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Authors

Leon J Osterweil¹, Heather M Conboy², Lori A Clarke², George S Avrunin³

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), College of Information and Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts. Electronic address: ljo@cs.umass.edu.
² Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), College of Information and Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts.
³ Department of Mathematics, Laboratory for Advanced Software Engineering Research (LASER), College of Information and Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Abstract

This paper explains how a detailed, precise surgical process model can help reduce errors by fostering better understanding, providing guidance during surgery, helping train newcomers, and by supporting process improvement. It describes the features that a process-modeling language should have in order to support the precise specification of such models.

Keywords: Error reduction; Process modeling; Safety; Workflow.

MeSH terms

Clinical Competence
Education, Medical, Graduate
Humans
Medical Errors / prevention & control*
Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care*
Patient Care Team
Postoperative Complications / etiology
Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
Quality Improvement
Quality Indicators, Health Care
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Surgical Procedures, Operative / adverse effects*
Surgical Procedures, Operative / education
Treatment Outcome
Workflow

Grants and funding

R01 HL126896/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States