Subscribe Log in

Log in

Remember me. [?]
Forgotten password
Not got an account?

Subscribe or register here

Toggle navigation
Student BMJ
Search
  • News & views
    • At a glance >>
    • Life
    • Briefings
    • Research explained
    • Views
    • People
  • Clinical
    • Practical skills
    • Clinical reviews
    • Ethics & law
    • Picture quizzes
    • Junior doctor survival kit
  • Specialties
    • Cardiology
    • Emergency medicine
    • Gastroenterology
    • General practice
    • General Surgery
    • Geriatric medicine
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics & Gynaecology
    • Paediatrics
    • Psychiatry
    • Radiology
    • Respiratory
  • Careers
    • Career planning
    • A career in...
    • Electives
    • Foundation programme
    • Careers advice
  • Applying to medical school
    • At a glance >>
    • Application timeline
    • Considering medicine
    • Medical School Selector
    • Work experience
    • Personal statement
    • Entrance exams
    • Interviews
    • Plan B
    • Graduate entry medicine
    • Mediprep course
  • Subscribe

Black box

Lachlan Clark, Simon Bann, Lee Edwards, and Ara Darzi explain how recording information in operating theatres could revolutionise analysis of our mistakes and how we work and train as healthcare professionals

By: Lachlan Clark, Simon Bann

Imagine you, a medical student, are observing a surgical procedure and everything is going to plan. In fact, it's one of those times when you are not concentrating fully and your mind is wandering, “What am I going to do this Friday night?” Suddenly the anaesthetist is looking a bit panicky and is beginning to inject more drugs, trying to adjust the endotracheal tube, and decipher the monitors at the same time. Meanwhile, the surgeon, his assistant, and the surgical senior house officer are huddled around the patient, rapidly muttering commands at each other and ordering increasing numbers of instruments from the theatre nurse. The nurse, in turn, is asking other nurses in the operating theatre to get more equipment from other theatres and supply cupboards. The patient's condition is deteriorating; the staff are becoming more agitated. A more senior anaesthetist is called to help improve the patient's critical situation;

To read the rest of this article log in or subscribe to Student BMJ.

If you're not ready to subscribe yet you can access News & views for free or register with us to receive free updates on our latest content.

Log in Subscribe
  • Most viewed
  • What's new

Stay in touch

  • Register for email alerts

Contact us

  • Contact us
  • Advertisers and sponsors
  • Media

About Student BMJ

  • About us
  • Join the BMA
  • Subscribe
  • Write for Student BMJ
  • Review articles for Student BMJ
  • The BMJ
  • The Student BMJ scholarship
  • Request permissions
  • Sitemap

Terms and Conditions

  • Website T&Cs
  • Medical School Selector T&Cs
  • Privacy policy

© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2018. All rights reserved.