Soheyla Kalantari *1 
, Maryam Jafari2 , Fatemeh Chenaparchi2 , Fatemeh Mehravar3 , Amirali Alizadeh4 , Kosar Kordkatuli5
, Maryam Jafari2 , Fatemeh Chenaparchi2 , Fatemeh Mehravar3 , Amirali Alizadeh4 , Kosar Kordkatuli5
1- Department of Surgical Technology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran; Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2- Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Jorjani Clinical sciences Research Institute, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
4- Research Center for Evidence-Based Health Management, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
5- Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2- Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Jorjani Clinical sciences Research Institute, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
4- Research Center for Evidence-Based Health Management, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
5- Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract: (257 Views)
Background: The operating room is a high-risk environment that requires strict adherence to safety standards. This study aimed to evaluate safety standards in the operating rooms of educational hospitals affiliated with Golestan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated five safety dimensions in five operating room units across four educational hospitals affiliated with Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected through direct observation using a previously applied structured checklist with established reliability; supplementary information was obtained from the operating room head nurse when clarification was required. Each operating room unit was assessed on two occasions at a two-week interval, resulting in 10 observations. Raw scores were converted into standardized percentage scores to enable comparisons across domains, and safety status was classified using a threshold of 80% of the maximum possible score.
Results: The highest standardized mean scores were observed for personnel safety (86.90 ± 4.92), fire safety (85.78 ± 8.13), and the physical environment (84.83 ± 6.91), followed by patient safety (81.11 ± 8.16) and infection control (80.45 ± 7.51). The predefined safety threshold was met in 9 of 10 observations for personnel safety, 8 of 10 for the physical environment, 7 of 10 for fire safety, 6 of 10 for infection control, and 5 of 10 for patient safety.
Conclusion: Overall compliance with operating room safety standards was favorable but varied across domains and observations. Personnel safety demonstrated the strongest overall performance, whereas patient safety had the lowest proportion of observations meeting the safety threshold, and infection control had the lowest mean standardized score. Targeted improvements in patient-safety processes, infection-control practices, communication, and consistent checklist implementation are therefore warranted.
Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated five safety dimensions in five operating room units across four educational hospitals affiliated with Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected through direct observation using a previously applied structured checklist with established reliability; supplementary information was obtained from the operating room head nurse when clarification was required. Each operating room unit was assessed on two occasions at a two-week interval, resulting in 10 observations. Raw scores were converted into standardized percentage scores to enable comparisons across domains, and safety status was classified using a threshold of 80% of the maximum possible score.
Results: The highest standardized mean scores were observed for personnel safety (86.90 ± 4.92), fire safety (85.78 ± 8.13), and the physical environment (84.83 ± 6.91), followed by patient safety (81.11 ± 8.16) and infection control (80.45 ± 7.51). The predefined safety threshold was met in 9 of 10 observations for personnel safety, 8 of 10 for the physical environment, 7 of 10 for fire safety, 6 of 10 for infection control, and 5 of 10 for patient safety.
Conclusion: Overall compliance with operating room safety standards was favorable but varied across domains and observations. Personnel safety demonstrated the strongest overall performance, whereas patient safety had the lowest proportion of observations meeting the safety threshold, and infection control had the lowest mean standardized score. Targeted improvements in patient-safety processes, infection-control practices, communication, and consistent checklist implementation are therefore warranted.
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