Eight-year experience with a neurosurgical checklist

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient Safety in Surgery
• Surgical Workflow Optimization

Background:

• Patient safety is a global healthcare priority, leading to initiatives like work hour restrictions and improved communication.
• The operating room (OR) presents unique challenges for patient safety and error reduction.
• Standardized tools are essential for maintaining and improving patient care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of an intraoperative checklist program.
• To report on an 8-year experience with a surgical checklist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
• To review existing literature on surgical checklists and their impact on patient safety.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a novel intraoperative checklist program in the Department of Neurological Surgery.
• Longitudinal data collection and analysis of the checklist program's 8-year experience.
• Comprehensive literature review on the use and efficacy of surgical checklists.

Main Results:

• The intraoperative checklist program has been a sustained effort over 8 years.
• The checklist was designed to be both effective and practical for OR use.
• The study provides insights into the long-term application of such safety tools.

Conclusions:

• Intraoperative checklists are valuable tools for enhancing patient safety in surgical settings.
• Sustained implementation of safety protocols is crucial for healthcare facilities.
• The Mayo Clinic experience highlights the practical benefits of a dedicated checklist program.