Operating Room Communication and Simulation (ORCAS) Project Evaluation
Tracks
Room 1
| Tuesday, December 1, 2026 |
| 10:05 AM - 10:25 AM |
| Plenary Room - Grand Central |
Overview
Prof Janet Anderson
Speaker
Professor Janet Anderson
Monash University
Operating Room Communication and Simulation (ORCAS) Project Evaluation
Abstract
Aim:
The Monash Human Factors team was engaged by Bayside Health Perioperative Services at Alfred Hospital to evaluate the effectiveness of the Operating Room Communication and Simulation Project (ORCAS) program in achieving better teamwork and safety culture, identify how it affects behaviour and understanding, how the learning can benefit the organisation via latent safety threat analysis (LST), and whether and how its effectiveness can be optimised.
Methods:
A non-experimental mixed methods approach was used with multiple methods used to probe the effects on a range of outcomes. Data collection methods included observations, surveys and interviews. All operating theatre staff participating in simulation training were eligible to take part at Alfred and Sandringham hospitals.
Results:
Integrating qualitative interview data, observational analysis, post-course surveys, safety culture instruments, and a structured latent safety threat (LST) action plan, the results provided a comprehensive picture of how simulation can bridge the gap between education, practice, and system improvement. Importantly, the results suggest that while individual and team learning are necessary precursors to safer patient care, their translation into sustained practice depends on healthcare organisational structures, leadership engagement, and resourcing.
Implications:
The ORCAS in situ simulation program functions as a multi-level patient safety intervention, supporting individual learning, exposing and addressing teamwork vulnerabilities, and enabling tangible proactive organisational learning through the identification and mitigation of latent safety threats.
Conference theme:
‘What real world lessons reveal what a perfect (or imperfect) fit looks like in practice?’
Simulation training reveals what works well and not so well contextually across real teams, real operating theatres, using real technology and life-like mannequins. Allowing perfect or imperfect teamwork lessons to build upon; and opportunities to identify imperfect 'fit' between system elements to promote organisational learning and resilient systems. Therefore, simulation facilitates a safe environment to test and iterate 'the perfect fit'.
The Monash Human Factors team was engaged by Bayside Health Perioperative Services at Alfred Hospital to evaluate the effectiveness of the Operating Room Communication and Simulation Project (ORCAS) program in achieving better teamwork and safety culture, identify how it affects behaviour and understanding, how the learning can benefit the organisation via latent safety threat analysis (LST), and whether and how its effectiveness can be optimised.
Methods:
A non-experimental mixed methods approach was used with multiple methods used to probe the effects on a range of outcomes. Data collection methods included observations, surveys and interviews. All operating theatre staff participating in simulation training were eligible to take part at Alfred and Sandringham hospitals.
Results:
Integrating qualitative interview data, observational analysis, post-course surveys, safety culture instruments, and a structured latent safety threat (LST) action plan, the results provided a comprehensive picture of how simulation can bridge the gap between education, practice, and system improvement. Importantly, the results suggest that while individual and team learning are necessary precursors to safer patient care, their translation into sustained practice depends on healthcare organisational structures, leadership engagement, and resourcing.
Implications:
The ORCAS in situ simulation program functions as a multi-level patient safety intervention, supporting individual learning, exposing and addressing teamwork vulnerabilities, and enabling tangible proactive organisational learning through the identification and mitigation of latent safety threats.
Conference theme:
‘What real world lessons reveal what a perfect (or imperfect) fit looks like in practice?’
Simulation training reveals what works well and not so well contextually across real teams, real operating theatres, using real technology and life-like mannequins. Allowing perfect or imperfect teamwork lessons to build upon; and opportunities to identify imperfect 'fit' between system elements to promote organisational learning and resilient systems. Therefore, simulation facilitates a safe environment to test and iterate 'the perfect fit'.
Biography
Janet Anderson is Professor of Human Factors in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at Monash University, an honorary professor at the University of Stavanger, Norway. She has held academic positions at University of Surrey (2004-2008), King's College London (2008-2020), and City, University of London (2020-2021). She is a long-standing member of the UK Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and was the leader of the Healthcare Special Interest Group in 2013-16. The aim of her research is to improve the quality and safety of care using Human Factors theories and frameworks. She is an expert in resilient healthcare systems, organisations and teams and has pioneered the development of theories, methods and guidance in this area.
Deena Soma is a Human Factors Research Fellow in the Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine at Monash University. She is also a Human Factors Consultant and OHS professional with experience across varied industries including healthcare. Deena is a member of the Safer Care Victoria Academy that serves to support healthcare improvement. As an Occupational Therapist, she has worked clinically across the continuum of care in Australia and the NHS in the United Kingdom. Deena holds a Master of Science Human Factors & Ergonomics degree from Loughborough University, United Kingdom.
