(Poster 73) Music in the OR: Effects on Communication, Focus, and Patient Safety

Objectives: The loud noise environment in the operating room (OR) is a recognized cause of miscommunication and surgical error, and music has been shown in other industries to impact communication and performance. We surveyed surgeons, nursing staff, and anesthesia providers to explore how music impacts their ability to concentrate, communicate, and monitor patient safety.

Methods: We designed a survey to examine music in the operating room and distributed it to surgeons, anesthetists, and nursing staff. Surveys were administered in-person, by email, and over Zoom using REDCap. Questions focused on if music affected concentration, communication, and monitoring patient safety during different portions of routine and complex surgeries. Outcomes were further analyzed by role.

Results: 138 participants responded (61 surgeons, 40 nursing staff, and 37 anesthesia providers; overall response rate 63.6%). Preferences included 44 separate genres, while 5 genres were reported as interfering (Figure). 67.4% of participants reported listening to music in most surgeries. 34.8% want music played at all times, 10.9% want no music at all during surgery, and 54.3% said it depends. (Table) Of the individuals who reported “it depends”, 66.2% say that the portion of the surgery affects when music should be played. 48.7% want it off during a more complex surgery. Some report that music consistently worsens their ability to communicate (33.0%), concentrate (8.0%), and monitor patient safety (11.6%). Others indicated that music does not impact key aspects of their work: 67.0% reported improvement or no effect on communication, 55.1% stated the same for concentration, and 62.3% said the same for monitoring patient safety. Regarding concentration and ability to monitor patient safety, 37.0% and 26.1%, respectively, say that music worsens it, especially with higher music volume.

Conclusions: Although music is commonly played and preferred in the OR, some OR team members report that it affects their ability to communicate, concentrate, and monitor patient safety—highlighting its potential to significantly impact surgical work. This is especially true during portions of the surgery requiring more concentration and communication, including the critical moment, intubation, extubation, and the count, and for more complex surgeries. Despite these preferences to limit music, most say it does not impact their job performance, which is likely due to work experience with music playing. Encouraging discussions among team members about music usage or volume may improve OR communication, strengthen team dynamics, and enhance patient safety.