The World Health Organisation (WHO)[1] published the 'WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and Implementation Manual' in 2008[2] in order to increase the safety of patients undergoing surgery.
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As the worldwide incidences of traumatic injuries, cancers and cardiovascular disease continue to rise, the impact of surgical intervention on public health systems continues to grow. The WHO has undertaken a number of global and regional initiatives to address surgical safety. The Global Initiative for Emergency and Essential Surgical Care[3] and the Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care[4] focussed on access and quality. The Second Global Patient Safety Challenge: Safe Surgery Saves Lives[5] addresses the safety of surgical care. The World Alliance for Patient Safety initiated work on the Challenge in January 2007.
The checklist essentially identifies three distinct phases of an operation, each corresponding to a specific period in the normal flow of work: Before the induction of anaesthesia, before the incision of the skin, and before the patient leaves the operating facility. In each phase, a 'checklist coordinator' must confirm that the surgical team has completed the listed tasks before it proceeds with the procedure.
The intention of such a checklist is to systematically and efficiently ensure that all conditions are optimum for patient safety, and that all staff are identifiable and accountable, and errors in patient identity, site and type of procedure are avoided completely. By following a few critical steps, health care professionals can minimize the most common and avoidable risks endangering the lives and well-being of surgical patients.
Before the patient undergoes anaesthesia, the patient must confirm his/her identity, the site of operation, what procedure is to be carried out and that he/she has consented for the procedure. The site of operation must be marked if applicable. Then the presence or absence of allergies must be checked, the amount of expected blood loss discussed, and an anaesthetic safety check must be completed.
Before the surgical procedure begins (i.e. before the first incision), the entire team must take a 'time out' (stop and pause). At this stage, all people in the room must introduce themselves by name and role. The surgeon and anaesthetist must then confirm the name of the patient and the procedure taking place, and any anticipated critical events. These clinicians also discuss the need for antibiotics and imaging.
Before the patient leaves, the operating room there is a further check, usually conducted by the nursing staff. The instrument, sponge and needle counts are checked, equipment is checked and specimens are checked as appropriately labelled. The surgeon, anaesthetist and nursing staff then must discuss any key concerns for recovery management of the patient.