153 - Communication guide while on call

Description: We started noticing a pattern in the OR, especially during on-call hours, new staff and recent grads often had a lot of the same questions. Things like how to book surgical cases, who to call for specific issues, how to escalate equipment or supply chain concerns, and what the proper steps were for various hospital procedures. These are all important questions, but they were often directed to experienced team members who were already managing a full workload. It created a lot of interruptions and added extra pressure during already busy times.

To fix this, our charge nurses and leadership team came together and created a more organized and accessible way to share key information. That is how the Operating Room Call Book came to life. It is a centralized, easy-to-use resource that includes essential contact numbers, booking instructions, and quick-reference guides. We wanted something that anyone on the team, whether brand new or very experienced, could use quickly and confidently during their shift.

The Call Book includes phone numbers for departments like anesthesia, PACU, ICU, surgical booking, sterile processing, and more. We also added support service contacts for areas like biomedical engineering and environmental services, along with instructions for after-hours calls. It outlines exactly what steps to follow for booking cases during regular hours and on-call times, and how to check availability through the EMR. There are tip sheets and brief policy summaries to guide decision-making in urgent or unclear situations. It is meant to support smooth communication and reduce the need to repeatedly ask others the same questions.

At the same time, we developed a "How-To" guide to support new staff specifically. On-call shifts can be stressful, especially when you're still learning the ropes. This guide gives step-by-step instructions for handling common situations across different areas of perioperative care. We worked with teams from Pre-Op, OR, Anesthesia, PACU, and Central Sterile Processing to make sure it reflected real-world situations and had input from all the right people.

The guide is designed to build confidence, reduce stress, and help newer staff work more independently. By giving them a clear resource, we also help protect the time and focus of experienced team members who otherwise might get pulled away to answer repeat questions. It supports both individual learning and overall team workflow.

To make sure these tools are useful and accessible, we have added them to the new staff orientation process. There is a hard copy of the Call Book and the "How-To" guide at the OR charge desk, and we also made digital versions available on the department's shared drive. Whether you are looking something up during a busy night shift or reviewing during downtime, the information is there when you need it.

Overall, these resources are helping us create a more efficient, informed, and supportive environment in the OR, especially during high-pressure times. It's been a real step forward for team communication and for helping everyone feel more confident in their role.