Читать книгу Managing Medical and Obstetric Emergencies and Trauma - Группа авторов - Страница 52

The emphasis on the management of obstetric urgent or emergency care has traditionally concentrated on knowledge and application of the appropriate technical skills for the given situation. An often overlooked element is how in these high‐pressure situations, maternity staff from several disciplines can come together to form an effective team that minimises error and works actively to prevent adverse events to minimise patient harm The maternity team in acute emergencies is made up of medical staff from different specialties and of varying seniority, midwives and ancillary staff (including healthcare assistants, operating department assistants, scrub nurses, etc.). The hospital‐based maternity team also relies on close links with laboratory and imaging teams during emergencies, as well as support from administrative teams (ward clerks, hospital switchboard) and portering services. This is a complex system and requires knowledge of human factors and team working. The role of simulation and training as promoted within the mMOET course is vital in improving how individuals will work within their own teams during obstetric emergencies.

This chapter provides a brief introduction to some of the human factors that can affect the performance of individuals and teams in the healthcare environment. Human factors, also referred to as ergonomics, is an established scientific discipline and clinical human factors has been described as:

Enhancing clinical performance through an understanding of the effects of teamwork, tasks, equipment, workspace, culture and organisation on human behaviour and abilities and application of that knowledge in clinical settings

(Kohn et al., 2010).