THE PATH TO ‘DIEPS BY DINNER’ INVOLVES THE ENTIRE OPERATIVE TEAM

Katherine E. Law, Anna R. Linden, Christin Harless, Minh Doan T. Nguyen, M. Susan Hallbeck

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

More and more breast cancer patients are turning to autologous options for reconstruction. Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap reconstruction is considered the gold standard flap breast reconstruction procedure; however, it requires a significant number of resources, including two surgeons and microsurgical equipment. A multidisciplinary group was tasked with reducing operative time of DIEP flap procedures by 25% so that complex surgeries can become more routine and accessible to patients. Using participatory ergonomics, members of the operative team were engaged to identify interventions. Following implementation, 22 DIEP flap cases were evaluated using workload surveys and patient outcomes to determine the success of the interventions. DIEP flap surgical durations were reduced by 25% on average (M=12.9 hours, SD=5.7 to M=9.7 hours, SD=1.4). When cases lasted longer than 9 hours, surgeons reported 31% more physical demand and 78% more fatigue than cases that were 9 hours or less. Survey results linked positive team characteristics to reduced frustrations and distractions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)646-650
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Volume64
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Event64th International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, HFES 2020 - Virtual, Online
Duration: Oct 5 2020Oct 9 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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