The surgical theatre is associated with the highest mortality rates since the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are neglected human resources for health in regards to both professional development and research for patient safety; even though they are key practitioners with respect to infection control during surgeries. Therefore, this study aims to describe challenges faced by ODPs during the pandemic. The secondary aim is to use empirical evidence to inform the public health sector management about both ODP professional development and improvement in surgical procedures, with a specific focus on pandemics. A qualitative study has been conducted. Data collection was based on an interview guide with open-ended questions. Interviews with 39 ODPs in public sector teaching hospitals of Pakistan who have been working during the COVID-19 pandemic were part of the analysis. Content analysis was used to generate themes. Ten themes related to challenges faced by ODPs in delivering services during the pandemic for securing patient safety were identified: (i) Disparity in training for prevention of COVID-19; (ii) Shortcomings in COVID-19 testing; (iii) Supply shortages of personal protective equipment; (iv) Challenges in maintaining physical distance and prevention protocols; (v) Human resource shortages and role burden; (vi) Problems with hospital administration; (vii) Exclusion and hierarchy; (viii) Teamwork limitations and other communication issues; (ix) Error Management; and (x) Anxiety and fear. The public health sector, in Pakistan and other developing regions, needs to invest in the professional development of ODPs and improve resources and structures for surgical procedures, during pandemics and otherwise.

自 COVID-19 大流行爆发以来，外科手术室的死亡率最高。然而，在专业发展和患者安全研究方面，手术部从业人员 (ODP) 是被忽视的卫生人力资源；尽管他们是手术期间感染控制的关键实践者。因此，本研究旨在描述 ODP 在大流行期间面临的挑战。第二个目标是利用经验证据向公共卫生部门管理层通报 ODP 专业发展和外科手术的改进，特别关注流行病。已经进行了定性研究。数据收集基于包含开放式问题的访谈指南。分析的一部分是对巴基斯坦公立教学医院的 39 名 ODP 进行的采访，他们在 COVID-19 大流行期间一直在工作。内容分析用于生成主题。确定了与 ODP 在大流行期间提供服务以确保患者安全时面临的挑战相关的十个主题： (i) 预防 COVID-19 培训方面的差异；(ii) COVID-19 检测的缺陷；㈢ 个人防护装备供应短缺；(iv) 保持物理距离和预防方案方面的挑战；(v) 人力资源短缺和角色负担；(vi) 医院管理问题；(vii) 排斥和等级制度；(viii) 团队合作限制和其他沟通问题；(ix) 错误管理；(x) 焦虑和恐惧。巴基斯坦和其他发展中地区的公共卫生部门需要投资于 ODP 的专业发展，并改善大流行期间和其他情况下外科手术的资源和结构。