Emotional intelligence in the operating room: Analysis from the Boston Marathon bombing

Authors

  • Beverly P. Chang, MD
  • Joshua C. Vacanti, MD
  • Yvonne Michaud, RN, MSN
  • Hugh Flanagan, MD
  • Richard D. Urman, MD, MBA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2014.0144

Keywords:

Boston Marathon bombing, emotional intelligence, operating room management, disaster management

Abstract

Introduction: The Boston Marathon terrorist bombing that occurred on April 15, 2013 illustrates the importance of a cohesive, efficient management for the operating room and perioperative services. Conceptually, emotional intelligence (EI) is a form of social intelligence used by individuals in leadership positions to monitor the feelings and emotions of their team while implementing a strategic plan.

Objective: To describe the experience of caring for victims of the bombing at a large tertiary care center and provide examples demonstrating the importance of EI and its role in the management of patient flow and overall care.

Methods: A retrospective review of trauma data was performed. Data regarding patient flow, treatment types, treatment times, and outcomes were gathered from the hospital’s electronic tracking system and subsequently analyzed. Analyses were performed to aggregate the data, identify trends, and describe the medical care.

Results: Immediately following the bombing, a total of 35 patients were brought to the emergency department (ED) with injuries requiring immediate medical attention. 10 of these patients went directly to the operating room on arrival to the hospital. The first victim was in an operating room within 21 minutes after arrival to the ED.

Conclusion: The application of EI in managerial decisions helped to ensure smooth transitions for victims throughout all stages of their perioperative care. EI provided the fundamental groundwork that allowed the operating room manager and nurse leaders to establish the calm and coordinated leadership that facilitated patient care and teamwork. 

 

Author Biographies

Beverly P. Chang, MD

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Joshua C. Vacanti, MD

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Yvonne Michaud, RN, MSN

Trauma and Burn Program, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Hugh Flanagan, MD

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Richard D. Urman, MD, MBA

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

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Published

04/01/2014

How to Cite

Chang, MD, B. P., J. C. Vacanti, MD, Y. Michaud, RN, MSN, H. Flanagan, MD, and R. D. Urman, MD, MBA. “Emotional Intelligence in the Operating Room: Analysis from the Boston Marathon Bombing”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 9, no. 2, Apr. 2014, pp. 77-85, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2014.0144.

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2014): Spring

Section

Articles

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