Hospital and surgery are two words that can strike fear into most people's hearts. Memories of loved ones ill and hospitalized with instant recall of that hospital smell, stark, meandering corridors and officious looking staff walking with deliberation.
There are the stories of hospital errors resulting in pain and death; feelings of helplessness and loss of control over one's destiny.
The World Health Organization's requirement of implementation of The Surgical Safety Checklist by hospitals, not just nationally but worldwide, should help patient's and their families' rest a little easier.
In the WHO pilot study, 2007-2008 the results proved that the use of checklists reduced the incidence of complications and death by one third; as an added bonus the implementation of the Surgical Safety Checklist has improved communication among surgical team members, it levels the power in hierarchy insuring a team approach to surgery, thereby insuring greater quality of care.
There are 3 main categories under the checklist:
Before anesthesia
Sign In - confirmation of patient's identity, operative site, procedure discussed with patient and patient consent, marking of operative site, oxygen saturation monitoring, any patient history which may contribute to complications
Before Skin Incision
Time Out - team members introduce themselves by name and role, team members confirm identity of patient, operative site and procedure; surgeon reviews possible complications and anticipated blood loss; anesthesia team addresses any patient-specific concerns; nursing team confirms sterility of surgical field, proper, safe and functioning equipment; when indicated antibiotic administration for prevention of infection and any imaging (X-Rays, scans etc) ready for display
Before Patient Leaves Operating Room
Sign Out - nurse verbally confirms with the team the name of the procedure recorded, correct needle, instrument and sponge count, any specimens taken and if so, how labeled, whether there are any equipment problems to be addressed; surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurse review of key concerns for recovery and patient management post operatively
According to the WHO there are 234 million operations performed globally each year and at least half a million deaths per year would be preventable with effective implementation of a surgical safety checklist.
Seattle area hospitals have implemented The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist but adherence to the list by the surgical team and oversight by each hospital's Safety Review Board is integral to its' success.
We all have to be careful consumers and that is especially true in matters of healthcare. Anyone considering surgery should research the hospital where the surgery is planned and talk with their surgeons about the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.
Most of us will eventually hear those words, hospital and surgery, but thanks to implementation and adherence to programs such as The Surgical Safety Checklist we can enter the hospital, float into the dream-world of anesthesia, and undergo surgery not so much under a blanket of fear but rather with a feeling of safety.
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