Suture Needle Injuries During Wound Closure: Examining Sources of Distraction in the OR.

Despite focus on prevention of needlestick injuries, intraoperative injuries involving suture needles have increased in the past two decades. When interruptions occur during surgery, a practitioner's focus is disengaged, creating an "error space;" re-engagement of the practitioner takes exponentially longer as each subsequent interruption occurs during the procedure. Human factors studies focus on the interaction between individuals and the environment in which they work (eg, processes, equipment).