STOP II Trial Testing a Structured Communication Toolbox During Surgery to Improve Patient Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the impact of the StOP-protocol, a structured communication briefing used by surgeons during operations, on post-operative mortality and other important patient outcomes. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare patient outcomes between surgeons trained in the StOP-protocol and those who communicate as usual during surgery. The study focuses on improving communication in the operating room to potentially enhance patient safety and surgical results. Surgeons in the intervention group will receive multi-module training to perform the StOP-protocol during all their operations over a 4-month period. This briefing involves the surgeon informing the team about the current status of the operation, the goals for the next steps, and any potential problems, while encouraging questions or concerns from the team. Surgeons in the control group will continue their usual communication practices without this structured briefing. Participants include patients operated on by the cluster surgeons during the study period. Researchers will assess outcomes such as mortality within 30 days after surgery, unplanned reoperations, length of hospital stay, and unplanned hospital readmissions within 30 days. Patient data will be collected based on general consent or relevant legal provisions. The study will monitor these outcomes to evaluate the effects of implementing the StOP-protocol in surgical practice.

STOP? II: Testing of a Toolbox for Structured Communication in the Operating Room