Becoming the "captain of the ship" in the OR.

We have all been there: a screaming attending; an argument with anesthesia; a crashing patient, to name a few examples. A stressful situation in the operating room (OR) can unfortunately be a common occurrence. Many of these situations can be avoided if the team had been better prepared or had better communication. As the attending orthopaedic surgeon, YOU are the leader in the OR and the entire team looks at YOU for guidance and answers. Without your leadership, the ship will sink. Preparation, communication, and respect are essential elements that affect both patient outcomes and the atmosphere in the OR. In this article, we will highlight several pearls that will help you become and remain the best leader you can: the "Captain of the Ship."