# The Impact of Personalised Surgical Caps on Teamwork and Communication in the Operating Room: A Systematic Review

## TL;DR

Personalized surgical caps improve communication and teamwork in operating rooms, especially for underrepresented staff, reducing misidentification errors and promoting inclusivity.

## Contribution

Demonstrates that personalized surgical caps enhance communication and inclusivity in the operating room, particularly for marginalized groups.

## Key findings

- Personalized surgical caps reduced misidentification errors by 65%–78%.
- Female and underrepresented minority staff experienced greater benefits in role recognition and reduced microaggressions.
- Three studies reported significant improvements in teamwork perceptions.

## Abstract

Communication failures in operating rooms contribute to 30% surgical errors. This systematic review evaluates whether personalized surgical caps improve teamwork and communication, addressing both clinical outcomes and professional inclusivity.

We followed PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar (February 2024–April 2024). Five studies met inclusion criteria (three randomized controlled trials and two observational studies). Methodological quality was assessed using the ROB‐2 tool for randomized trials and JBI checklists for observational studies. A narrative synthesis was conducted due to heterogeneity in outcome measures.

The review found consistent evidence that personalized surgical caps enhance communication and teamwork in the operating room. Studies reported improved name and role recognition among team members, with labeled caps reducing misidentification errors by 65%–78%. Notably, female and underrepresented minority staff experienced disproportionately greater benefits, including higher rates of role recognition and reduced microaggressions. Teamwork perceptions improved significantly in three studies, with one pilot study documenting a median score increase of 1–2 points. However, the magnitude of effects varied across professional roles, suggesting contextual influences.

Personalized surgical caps demonstrate promise for improving communication dynamics and fostering inclusivity in the operating room, particularly for marginalized groups. While the evidence base is limited by study heterogeneity, all included studies reported positive outcomes. Future implementation should account for institutional policies and staff preferences to maximize effectiveness. Further research with standardized outcome measures is needed to strengthen these findings.

•Impact
◦The study addressed communication breakdowns and misidentification errors in the operating room, which affect patient safety and surgical efficiency.◦Personalized surgical caps improved communication and reduced misidentification errors; enhanced teamwork and collaboration in the operating room; benefited underrepresented groups by reducing gender and representation disparities.◦The research impacts surgical teams and patients in operating rooms globally, improving communication, teamwork, and patient safety.
•Reporting method:
◦The study was conducted in adherence to relevant EQUATOR guidelines. Specifically, the authors followed the PRISMA 2020 checklist for systematic reviews (Page et al., 2021). The complete checklist is provided in Supporting Information S1.
•Patient or public contribution:
◦No patient or public contribution
•What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?
◦Improved communication and safety: Personalized surgical caps enhance communication and reduce errors.◦Support for inclusivity: Benefits underrepresented by groups, promoting gender and representation equality.◦Actionable insights: Offers practical recommendations for adopting personalized surgical caps in healthcare settings.

Impact
◦The study addressed communication breakdowns and misidentification errors in the operating room, which affect patient safety and surgical efficiency.◦Personalized surgical caps improved communication and reduced misidentification errors; enhanced teamwork and collaboration in the operating room; benefited underrepresented groups by reducing gender and representation disparities.◦The research impacts surgical teams and patients in operating rooms globally, improving communication, teamwork, and patient safety.

The study addressed communication breakdowns and misidentification errors in the operating room, which affect patient safety and surgical efficiency.

Personalized surgical caps improved communication and reduced misidentification errors; enhanced teamwork and collaboration in the operating room; benefited underrepresented groups by reducing gender and representation disparities.

The research impacts surgical teams and patients in operating rooms globally, improving communication, teamwork, and patient safety.

Reporting method:
◦The study was conducted in adherence to relevant EQUATOR guidelines. Specifically, the authors followed the PRISMA 2020 checklist for systematic reviews (Page et al., 2021). The complete checklist is provided in Supporting Information S1.

The study was conducted in adherence to relevant EQUATOR guidelines. Specifically, the authors followed the PRISMA 2020 checklist for systematic reviews (Page et al., 2021). The complete checklist is provided in Supporting Information S1.

Patient or public contribution:
◦No patient or public contribution

No patient or public contribution

What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community?
◦Improved communication and safety: Personalized surgical caps enhance communication and reduce errors.◦Support for inclusivity: Benefits underrepresented by groups, promoting gender and representation equality.◦Actionable insights: Offers practical recommendations for adopting personalized surgical caps in healthcare settings.

Improved communication and safety: Personalized surgical caps enhance communication and reduce errors.

Support for inclusivity: Benefits underrepresented by groups, promoting gender and representation equality.

Actionable insights: Offers practical recommendations for adopting personalized surgical caps in healthcare settings.