Surgeons and operating room staff, including anesthesiologists and nurses, work intense hours while being held to stringent standards.
A survey in Medscape polled surgeons and OR staff about capping operating room hours. The poll received 623 responses from nurses and 4,239 from physicians.
The first question asked if surgeons should have their hours capped to reduce harmful mistakes. Here is the breakdown of physician responses by specialty:
Anesthesiologists:
1. Yes — 75 percent
2. No — 16 percent
Internal medicine:
3. Yes — 65 percent
4. No — 27 percent
Orthopedic surgery:
5. Yes — 54 percent
6. No — 37 percent
General surgery:
7. Yes — 58 percent
8. No — 33 percent
The second question asked if other operating room staff should have their work hours capped to reduce harmful mistakes. Here is is the breakdown of survey responses:
Anesthesiologists:
9. Yes — 74 percent
10. No — 17 percent
Internal medicine:
11. Yes — 69 percent
12. No — 24 percent
Orthopedic surgery:
13. Yes — 58 percent
14. No — 33 percent
General surgery:
15. Yes — 63 percent
16. No — 28 percent