Safer Surgical Teamwork

Safer Surgical Teamwork (SST) (Previously known as Safer Australian Surgical Team work- SAST) is a multi-displinary workshop for surgeons, anaesthetists and scrub practitioners. The workshop focuses on non-technical skills which can enhance performance and teamwork in the operating theatre thus improving patient safety.

It explores these skills using three frameworks developed by The University of Aberdeen, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the National Health Service - Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS), Anaesthetists Non-Technical Skills (ANTS) and Scrub Practitioners' List of Intra-operative Non-Technical Skills (SPLINTS). These frameworks can help participants develop the knowledge and skills to improve their performance in the operating theatre in relation to communication/teamwork, decision making, task management/leadership and situational awareness. The program looks at the relationship between human factors and safer surgical practice and explores team dynamics. A faculty of four, cross-College facilitators will lead you through a series of interactive exercises to help you to reflect on your own performance and that of the operative team you work with

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is committed to ensuring that participants health and safety is the top priority of running any event, which includes adhering to any local, state and federal laws, policies and restrictions, both in Australia and New Zealand. Due to the complex evolving nature of these laws and restrictions, RACS may be required to cancel a course at any time leading up to event, please wait for advice from the College with information on the status of your course. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.