App aims to reduce adverse surgical events

App aims to reduce adverse surgical events

Designer Annie Maxted has developed an app with surgeons and theatre staff from University College Hospital London to engage the whole surgical team in patient safety.

The 21-year-old final-year student at Brunel University explained: “One in ten surgical patients experience an adverse event in surgery. This can be anything from an infection to, in more extreme circumstances, wrong site surgery or tool retention.

“While protocols are in place to help surgical teams adhere to correct patient safety practice this app – Flo –aims to optimise these practices and engage surgical staff with the entire safety procedure.

“Flo, an app-based service, was developed with the help of surgical professionals and helps support teams throughout the entire surgical journey.

“Through initially providing the ability to document their daily briefings, Flo ensures all patient specific data is discussed appropriately and allows key patient specific risks to be displayed and communicated while in theatre.

“Flo also helps teams to document their debriefing and discussion within the team.”

Flo was unveiled in June at the prestigious Made in Brunel Exhibition at the Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s South Bank.

Staff Writer