Table 1.

Used concepts and their operational definitions

Concepts	Operational definitions
Multitasking	When a member of the surgical team carried out observable multiple tasks simultaneously, for example, talking to a colleague while preparing medication.
Primary task	The ongoing task which is being interrupted.
Interruption	When a member of the surgical team suspended a current task because of an observable external stimulus, for example, paused to prepare an infusion when a surgeon asks to change the position of the operating table.
Cause of interruption	Describes the cause to an observable interruption.
Secondary task	Task that interrupts an ongoing task or tasks.
Task after secondary task	Task initiated after secondary task.