E113 Su-Yin MacDonell on Noise in the Operating Room

Cold Steel: Canadian Journal of Surgery Podcast

Dr. Su-Yin MacDonell (https://twitter.com/MacdonellSu?s=20&t=x_rOcGb83XcxYyWjb0ow2g) is an anesthetist specializing in periop medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. She is particularly interested in the concept of noise in the OR, and how that can affect decision-making and focus in the OR. We were privileged to hear about her research around noise in the OR, and her thoughts around how we can improve the OR environment and communication across the drapes.

Links:

1. Noise in the operating room during induction of anesthesia: impact of a quality improvement initiative. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35014000/

2. Effect of noise on auditory processing in the operating room. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24246628/

Bio (from http://periopcongress.org/wp content/uploads/2019/10/MacDonell.pdf)

Su-Yin started her career as a professional ballet dancer before completing her BSN at UVIC (2005). After two years as a medical-surgical Registered Nurse, she obtained her MD at UBC(2011). Her Residency in Anesthesiology at UBC (2017) was lengthened slightly by having two daughters. Following residency, Su-Yin had additional training in Perioperative Vascular Medicine in Hamilton, Ontario and Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) certification through CHEST. Su-Yin completed her masters in Perioperative Medicine, through the
University College of London.

As a staff Anesthesiologist at St. Paul’s Hospital (Vancouver), she is part of the ERAS working group, Perioperative Anesthesia group and is the Perioperative Medicine Fellowship Director (Anesthesia).

Outside of medicine, Su-Yin continues to dance, reluctantly cleans up after husband and two young children, and tries to read before falling asleep with the light on.