Music is often played during surgeries — studies have shown that tunes come through the speakers in the OR between 63 and 72 percent of the time. Even though the music may have a calming effect on patients, it may also lead to communication barriers between healthcare professionals.
A study of 20 operations in the United Kingdom showed that repeated requests for things like surgical instruments were five times more likely to occur when music was playing than when it wasn't.
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These repeated requests could be a patient safety hazard if miscommunication occurs, and they can also cause increased stress or tension for staff.
"Our study shows that playing music in the operating theatre can run counter to effective communication and highlights the need to consider both positive and negative effects of music on staff and patients," said Sharon Weldon, the lead author of the study, which was published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing.