Does disruptive behavior among anesthesia care providers decrease patient safety?

Abstract

Over the last few years, Andrew, an anesthesiology faculty member, has been doing primarily high-profile case assignments and taking a significant amount of overnight call. He has been extremely helpful and attentive to his colleagues, patients, needs of the department, and requests of the surgeons. Andrew’s demeanor is jovial and friendly with members of the department and operating room (OR) staff. Over the last 2 months, however, he has called out sick several times and he has stopped teaching residents. As a director of the OR, you learn that one of your fellow anesthesiologists, Nicholas, often makes derogative and humiliating comments to Andrew in regard to his clinical abilities and rapport with surgeons. The situation has been made worse as others appear entertained by Andrew’s ordeal.