The analysis of communication between consultants and their proteges during surgery revealed “very concerning” failures, partly due to a lack of 3G and 4G wifi access in hospitals. It found four in 10 consultants were unaware of what their anaesthetist supervisee was doing and three in 10 trainees or junior anaesthetists were unable to contact their consultant. Leading consultant anaesthetist David Bogod, who helped the Royal College of Anaesthetists carry out its research, said: “There has been a gradual creep towards the use of technology via online devices without an increase in the availability of robust signals in the NHS.
“I am surprised and shocked that when we are so dependent on electrical devices for patient-critical support, the wifi signal for these devices is so sadly lacking.”
Consultants and trainees should always be able to communicate these is sadly during operations.
However, the audit of 169 hospital operating lists across seven sites highlighted many incidents of communication failure.
Last week the college released a new code of practice – the Cappuccini test, named after Frankie Cappuccini, 30, a mother of two who died of a heart attack in Tunbridge Wells Hospital in 2012 after giving birth.
One of the causes was staff not knowing who to turn to when things began to go wrong.
The new system will ensure that supervisors can be accessed quickly in an emergency.
signal for devices It also stipulates improved wifi, better use of texts and the introduction of web-based calls in 3G/4G dead spots.
Husband Tom, 38, said: “It is such a relief to know there has been genuine learning from Frankie’s death.”
Speech to text software will be rolled out to all NHS hospitals to give staff more contact with patients.
The move comes after successful trials across 2,700 GP surgeries.
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