Abstract

COLLAZOS, Constanza et al. Checklist verification for surgery safety from the patient’s perspective. Rev. colomb. anestesiol. [online]. 2013, vol.41, n.2, pp.109-113. ISSN 0120-3347.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rca.2013.01.001.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) Safe Surgery Saves Lives Campaign based on the checklist is aimed at improving surgical safety. The Hospital General de Medellin (HGM) implemented the checklist in June 2009. Objective: To describe the application of WHO's surgical checklist based on patient-verifiable items and to describe the behavior of adverse events, before and after the implementation of the checklist at the HGM (Colombia). Methods: Cross-sectional study. All major surgery patients of the HGM operated on between February and March 2011 were included. Questions were addressed on patient-verifiable aspects on the checklist and about the perception of safety about the hospital. The number of surgical adverse events prior to, and after the implementation of the checklist, was compared. Results: 246 patients agreed to take part in the trial. According to the patients over 90% of the items on the checklist were complied with. The lowest performing item (86%) was the complete introduction of the surgical team members and their roles. 97% of the patients recommended this hospital for surgical procedures. A decline in the number of adverse events following the implementation of the checklist was observed (7.26% in 2009 vs. 3.29% in 2010). Conclusions: The HGM administers the WHO checklist. The incidence of adverse events decreased following its implementation.

Keywords : Health Services; General Surgery; Patient Safety; Health; Patient.

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