Surgeons are placing patients at risk by playing music in operating theatres because nurses struggle to hear commands and anaesthetists cannot tell a pulse from the beat, academics have warned. An analysis of video footage, taken during 20 operations in the UK, showed that some operating theatre teams are negatively affected by background music, during surgery. Researchers suggest that the decision to play music during an operationshould be made by the entire team, because many medical staff are left frustrated and distracted by music which can exceed World Health Organisation limits for noise in the workplace. Around seven in 10 surgeons use music, but research by Imperial College London found that nurses were five times more likely to have to ask surgeons to repeat instructions if music was playing. “This study has identified serious patient safety issues that cannot be ignored,” said lead author Sharon-Marie Weldon. "Music can be helpful to staff working in operating theatres where there is often a lot of background noise, as well as other distractions - it can improve concentration. “That said, we'd like to see a more considered approach, with much more discussion or negotiation over whether music is played, the type of music, and volume, within the operating teams." Music was first introduced into operating theatres in 1914 to relieve the anxiety of patients. Today patients are placed under anaesthetic outside of the theatre and music is routinely played for the benefit of clinical staff. New theatre suites are often equipped with docking stations and MP3 players and portable speakers are routinely used during operations. Dr Terhi Korkiakangas, the other lead author from UCL Institute of Education, said: Public perception of music in operating theatres is shaped by media portrayals of surgical teams always working to a background of smooth music. We found that often dance and drum and bass were played fairly loudly. “In the operating theatres we observed, it was usually the senior medics of the team who made the decision about background music. “Without a standard practice of the team deciding together, it is left up to junior staff and nurses to speak up and challenge the decisions of senior doctors, which can be extremely daunting. source
