Human Factors in Perioperative Care

Perioperative medicine adheres to the concept of “The Right Patient at the Right Time in the Right Place.” Human factors are intimately involved in perioperative medicine and impact preoperative evaluation, intraoperative management, and postoperative recovery and play a significant role in patient safety and outcomes. Communication is key to safe patient care, and the use of intraoperative and handoff communication tools decreases miscommunication events and fosters a culture encouraging team members to voice concern. By recognizing potential errors, practicing effective communication, and utilizing available cognitive aids/tools, perioperative medicine can reduce adverse events.