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WHO surgical safety checklist template

A surgical safety checklist should be used before the administration of anesthesia, making a skin incision, and prior to a patient’s departure from the operating room. The World Health Administration (WHO) provides a list of surgical checkpoints to complete throughout the course of a patient’s operation to protect them from human error and the risk of developing a post-op infection. Check the following before beginning the procedure:

  • •Paiteint Idenity
  • •Site
  • •Procedure
  • •Consent
  • •Site Marked
  • •Anesthesia Safety Check
  • •Pulse Oximeter
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Before induction of anaesthesia
Sign In
Patient has confirmed:
Identity
Site
Procedure
Consent
Site marked
Anesthesia safety check completed
Pulse oximeter on patient and functioning
Does Patient have a:
Known allergy?
Difficult airway/aspiration risk?
Risk of >500 ml blood loss (7ml/kg in children)
Before skin incision
Time out
Confirm all team members have introduced themselves by name and role
Surgeon, anesthesia professional and nurse verbally confirm Patient Site Procedure
ANTICIPATED CRITICAL EVENTS
SURGEON REVIEWS: What are the critical or unexpected steps, operative duration, anticipated blood loss?
ANAESTHESIA TEAM REVIEWS: Are there any patient-specific concerns?
NURSING TEAM REVIEWS: Has sterility (including indicator results) been confirmed? Are there equipment issues or any concerns?
Has antibiotic prophylaxis been given within the last 60 minutes?
Is essential imaging displayed?
Before patient leaves operating room
Sign Out
Nurse verbally confirms with the team:
The name of the procedure recorded
That instrument, sponge, and needle counts are correct (or not applicable)
How the specimen is labeled (including patient name)
Whether there are any equipment problems to be addressed
The surgeon, anesthesia professional, and nurse review the key concerns for recovery and management of this patient
Confirmation
Signature (on behalf of the entire team)
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Ensuring compliance with WHO surgical safety standards is crucial for maintaining a safe and efficient surgical environment. Our WHO surgical safety checklist template is designed to help you conduct thorough pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative checks, identify potential risks, and ensure patient safety. By using this template, you can create a safer surgical environment and promote a culture of safety within your healthcare facility. Make your surgical procedures safer and more efficient with our easy-to-use checklist.  

Transform your surgical safety protocols

  The primary purpose of our WHO surgical safety checklist template is to provide a structured and systematic approach to surgical procedures that aligns with WHO safety standards. This template helps you identify and address potential risks before, during, and after surgery, ensuring patient safety and reducing the likelihood of complications.   By using this checklist, you can streamline your surgical procedures, promote a culture of safety, and reduce the risk of errors in the operating room. Additionally, it helps ensure compliance with WHO safety standards, which can prevent medical errors and enhance your healthcare facility’s reputation for patient safety. Ultimately, this template supports the creation of a proactive safety culture, leading to improved patient outcomes and increased trust in your healthcare services. A safer surgical environment means better patient care and enhanced operational efficiency.  

Key elements of the WHO surgical safety checklist template

  Our WHO surgical safety checklist template includes several key elements to ensure comprehensive surgical safety checks. It covers critical areas such as:  
  • Before induction of anesthesia (Sign In): Conduct checks to confirm the patient’s identity, surgical site, procedure, and consent. Ensure the site is marked, the anesthesia safety check is completed, and the pulse oximeter is on the patient and functioning. Verify if the patient has any known allergies, a difficult airway/aspiration risk, or a risk of significant blood loss.
 
  • Before skin incision (Time Out): Confirm that all team members have introduced themselves by name and role. The surgeon, anesthesia professional, and nurse should verbally confirm the patient, site, and procedure. Review anticipated critical events, including unexpected steps, operative duration, and anticipated blood loss. The anesthesia team should review any patient-specific concerns, and the nursing team should confirm sterility, equipment issues, and any concerns. Ensure that antibiotic prophylaxis has been given within the last 60 minutes and that essential imaging is displayed.
 
  • Before the patient leaves the operating room (Sign Out): The nurse should verbally confirm with the team the name of the procedure recorded, that instrument, sponge, and needle counts are correct (or not applicable), how the specimen is labeled (including patient name), and whether there are any equipment problems to be addressed. The surgeon, anesthesia professional, and nurse should review key concerns for recovery and management of the patient.
  Each section is meticulously designed to guide you through specific surgical safety checks, helping you identify and mitigate risks effectively. The template also includes space for notes and observations, allowing you to document any issues and track corrective actions. This comprehensive approach ensures that no aspect of surgical safety is overlooked, providing a robust framework for maintaining a safe surgical environment in compliance with WHO safety standards.  

Get started with Lumiform’s WHO surgical safety checklist template

  Ready to enhance safety in your surgical procedures? Download Lumiform’s free WHO surgical safety checklist template today and start conducting thorough and effective surgical safety checks. Our user-friendly template will help you ensure compliance, protect your patients, and maintain a high standard of care. Don’t wait—take the first step towards a safer surgical environment now! Download your free checklist and transform your surgical safety standards with Lumiform.
Please note that this checklist template is a hypothetical appuses-hero example and provides only standard information. The template does not aim to replace, among other things, workplace, health and safety advice, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or any other applicable law. You should seek your professional advice to determine whether the use of such a checklist is appropriate in your workplace or jurisdiction.
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