"Interdisciplinary Cooperation and Collaboration Between Orthopaedic Surgeons, Anaesthesia Staff, OR Technicians, and EMS Staff in the Care of Trauma Patients: From the Emergency Department to the Operating Room"

Abstract

Background:
Trauma care requires rapid, coordinated responses from multiple healthcare professionals across departments. Effective interdisciplinary cooperation between orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthesia staff, operating room (OR) technicians, and emergency medical services (EMS) staff working in the emergency department (ED) is essential for ensuring timely surgical intervention, patient safety, and optimal outcomes. Despite its critical importance, collaboration during the transition from ED to OR remains a complex and often under-optimized component of trauma management.
Aim:
This systematic review aims to evaluate the roles, communication strategies, and collaborative practices of interdisciplinary trauma teams from the ED to the OR. It identifies outcomes associated with effective teamwork and highlights tools and protocols that enhance cooperation.
Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 2010 and March 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving interdisciplinary collaboration in hospital-based trauma care. Data were extracted and quality assessed using appropriate tools such as the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and CASP checklists.
Results:
Findings indicate that structured communication tools (e.g., SBAR, I-PASS), checklists, and preoperative team briefings significantly improve patient outcomes by reducing surgical delays, minimizing clinical errors, and enhancing workflow efficiency. Effective collaboration also improves staff satisfaction and fosters a culture of safety and mutual respect. Barriers identified include time constraints, role ambiguity, and hierarchical dynamics.
Conclusion:
Interdisciplinary collaboration is a cornerstone of effective trauma care. Institutions should adopt standardized communication tools, promote interprofessional training, and support a culture of teamwork to improve outcomes in trauma settings. Strengthening collaboration from ED to OR can significantly enhance both patient care and healthcare team performance.