Collecting Workers' Perceptions of Performance Obstacles in Outpatient Surgery

Abstract

The aim of this study was to gather information from staff of outpatient surgery centers concerning their perception of the patient safety/quality of care issues at their Center and the performance obstacles they face when doing their work. In addition we wished to determine whether performance obstacles research (Brown & Mitchell, 1988; Peters et al, 1985) can be applied to the conceptual framework that serves as the basis for all of our patient safety research (Smith & Carayon, 1989, 1995; Carayon & Smith, 2000).

We distributed open-ended surveys to all health care providers in five local outpatient surgery centers. Based on previous work conducted in the area of performance obstacles (Brown & Mitchell, 1988; Peters, et al, 1985) we asked the caregivers to identify instances when they felt their performance was challenged or below par, as well as instances when they were able to perform their job very well. Because the population we surveyed is not familiar with the totality of the work system model as defined by Smith & Carayon (1989, 1995) and Carayon & Smith, (2000), we provided the elements of the work system as examples to the respondents. The resounding themes caregivers listed as significant performance obstacles included inter-provider coordination and communication of care, equipment, work space, scheduling, time pressure and staffing issues.