Editor’s note: This is the first in a series sharing music in the operating room.
It’s hard to argue with John Lochemes when he says he has the perfect tune to play in the operating room.
“It has to be Smooth Operator – what’s better than that?” said Lochemes, an orthopedic surgeon with Memphis Orthopaedic Group. Of course, the song made popular by the English group Sade in 1984, has nothing to do with a physician performing surgery (it’s about a cool dude who’s popular with the women) but who’s going to argue? The title is perfect and it’s often what is playing when Lochemes is operating.
However, Lochemes is not sure about music in the OR.
“My opinion is that it’s not always a good idea,” he said. “People will argue that we’re not in a club – we’re in an OR and the music is a distraction. Others argue that it helps the work environment and keeps the team alert. I personally survey the staff to see how they feel. I want efficiency of the staff. I feed into their needs.”
So for Lochemes, music in the OR is a sometimes thing. And while he prefers Smooth Operator, he is open to requests.
Lochemes, who grew up in Wisconsin, has only one rule: “No country music.”