Researchers say the medical field is in need of formal recommendations regarding surgeons' alcohol consumption the day before performing surgery, according to research published in the Archives of Surgery.
The researchers conducted two studies to see whether excessive alcohol consumption the day before laparoscopic surgery negatively impacted their surgical performance. One study was a cohort study involving eight surgeons specializing in laparoscopic surgery. The surgeons were instructed to freely consume alcohol until they were intoxicated. The next day, researchers measured how well they performed minimally invasive surgeries at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Results showed surgeons made more errors and were less efficient at diathermy use. In some instances, the effects of alcohol consumption impacted surgical performance until 4 p.m. the next day.
Read the study about excessive alcohol consumption and surgical efficiency.
Read other coverage about patient safety:
- Postoperative Probe Reduces Risk of Surgical Site Infections
- 14 Hospitals Partner With Premier in ED Safety Initiative
- Emory Healthcare's Unique Training Program Boosts Quality Improvement Knowledge
The researchers conducted two studies to see whether excessive alcohol consumption the day before laparoscopic surgery negatively impacted their surgical performance. One study was a cohort study involving eight surgeons specializing in laparoscopic surgery. The surgeons were instructed to freely consume alcohol until they were intoxicated. The next day, researchers measured how well they performed minimally invasive surgeries at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Results showed surgeons made more errors and were less efficient at diathermy use. In some instances, the effects of alcohol consumption impacted surgical performance until 4 p.m. the next day.
Read the study about excessive alcohol consumption and surgical efficiency.
Read other coverage about patient safety:
- Postoperative Probe Reduces Risk of Surgical Site Infections
- 14 Hospitals Partner With Premier in ED Safety Initiative
- Emory Healthcare's Unique Training Program Boosts Quality Improvement Knowledge