The first audit of UK laparoscopic operating theatres has revealed that only one in ten hospitals are operating with the highest standard of equipment and resource considered adequate to carry out safe, advanced laparoscopic surgery.
The Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland (ALSGBI) found a wide variation in the availability and quality of equipment available in theatres across the country, including almost 28% of hospitals operating with obsolete and, in some cases, potentially unsafe standard equipment (“Bronze” standard). The National Audit of Theatre Equipment 2010, surveyed 474 hospitals across Great Britain and Northern Ireland and graded respondents either “Bronze”, “Silver” or “Gold”. The audit asked hospitals to outline the types of laparoscopic procedures regularly performed, the age, standard and type of equipment and how their equipment was powered and maintained. It found that uptake of new equipment was varied:
• 61% of hospitals were operating with “Silver” standard equipment.
• Nearly 25% of hospitals did not have a maintenance contract to replace broken equipment.
• 19% of hospitals were using Sharp Metal Trocars – old, reusable equipment.
• Around 3% of hospitals were not using modern energy sources for their equipment e.g. ultrasound.
Mr Mike Parker, past president of the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain & Ireland (ALSGBI), said: “The view from the original laparoscopic cameras was like squinting through a goldfish bowl. In comparison, HD equipment has revolutionised practice. It is unbelievable that some surgeons are still having to use equipment which limits the operations they can perform safely. We hope the result of this audit encourages surgeons and management to discuss upgrading their equipment to improve standards and to reassure patients that the best service is being provided.”
