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
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.