Developing and implementing an emergency robotic undocking protocol at a community hospital

Background: Robotic-assisted surgery is an increasingly prevalent technique that offers benefits to surgeon and patient. Inherent safety concerns exist with surgical robots yet can be mitigated by developing an emergency robotic undocking protocol (ERUP) and conducting simulation exercises. Purpose: To determine if an ERUP and multidisciplinary, in-situ simulation training improves surgical robot undocking times. Method: This quality improvement (QI) project utilized a pre-post design that assessed emergency robot undocking times through baseline simulation, revision period, and post-implementation simulation with multidisciplinary surgical robotics teams. Participant surveys assessed demographics, knowledge, confidence, and teamwork on the ERUP and simulation. Discussion: Simulation timed endpoints improved substantially. No change in median scores of knowledge, confidence or teamwork resulted. The ERUP and simulation scenario were rated positively by participants. Conclusion: This QI project demonstrated an ERUP implemented through multidisciplinary, in-situ simulation is feasible for surgical robotics teams. This ERUP can be adapted to individual institutional needs.

Duke Scholars

Author Virginia Chris Simmons School of Nursing