AST Guideline - Use of Mobile Information Technology in the Operating Room

1 Approved October 10, 2015 Revised January 30, 2017 AST Guidelines for Best Practices in Use of Mobile Information Technology in the Operating Room Introduction The following Guidelines for Best Practices were researched and authored by the AST Education and Professional Standards Committee, and are AST approved. AST developed the following guidelines to support healthcare delivery organizations (HDO) reinforce best practices in the use of mobile information technology (MIT) in the operating room (OR) as related to the role and duties of the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST®), the credential conferred by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide information OR supervisors, risk management, and surgical team members can use in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the use of MIT in the surgery department. The guidelines are presented with the understanding that it is the responsibility of the HDO to develop, approve, and establish policies and procedures for the surgery department regarding the use of MIT according to established HDO protocols. Rationale Cell phones/smartphones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other mobile devices (referred to as “ mobile information technology [MIT] ) that can perform the functions of personal computers including taking photos, uploading and downloading files, instant access to and ability to quickly distribute information, and ability to record and transmit events as they are occurring has quickly become assimilated into medical practice. MIT is viewed by the medical community and patients as a primary source of communication and access to patient-related information. 1 HDOs, clinics, and physician’ offices have devoted significant financial resources towards MIT to get the devices into the hands of medical staff for immediate access to patient data, drug information, case studies, surgeon’s preference cards, and ability to quickly communicate among themselves. 2 Research studies have examined the influence of MIT on communication and team efficiency revealing the following advantages: • Decrease in medical errors 3 • Faster access to patient information 4,5,6,7,8 • Improved communication with patients 7,8 • Improved work productivity and efficiency 9,10 • Preoperatively distracting pediatric patients 7 • Decrease in failure-to-respond rate as compared to the use of pagers 9,10,11,12,13