Increased familiarity among surgical teams lowers patient complications

Higher levels of surgical team familiarity significantly reduce patient complications and adverse events, according to a cohort study of over 8,500 operations. Specifically, investigators found that initial collaborations cut composite adverse event rates from 23% to 16.5%. The related odds ratios indicated notable decreases in major complications, unplanned reoperations, and ICU stays. These findings underscore the need for hospitals to prioritize the formation of stable surgical teams to enhance overall patient safety and outcomes.