The surgical safety checklist survey: a national perspective on patient safety

In 2008, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended practices to ensure the safety of patients worldwide. This led to the development of the Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC). Ireland has endorsed the SSC ( www.hiqa.ie/press-release/2008-06-17-health-information-and-quality-authority-launches-world-health-organization , 10).

We aimed to determine (i) whether SSC is being implemented, (ii) whether it promotes a safer surgical environment and (iii) identify problems associated with its introduction and on-going implementation.

All hospitals in Ireland with operating departments (n = 61) were invited to participate in an online survey.

The response rate was 67 %. The WHO SSC or modified version is in place in 78 % (mean time: 20 months) of operating departments that responded. Partaking in Time Out as a team was reported as occurring in 57 % of cases. Greater than 60 % of respondents reported that the SSC was difficult to introduce and implement and that its introduction was time consuming. Further training in using the SSC was reported as desirable by 84 % of respondents. The introduction of the SSC was reported to be associated with an improvement in team communication (72 %), a positive change in team behaviour (63 %), an increase in the consistency of patient care (82 %) and a positive culture of safety in theatre (81 %).

The SSC has not been implemented throughout all operating departments in Ireland. Where it has been introduced there has been a perceived positive change in safety culture. However, overall greater education, endorsement, teamwork, and communication will be required to optimise the potential benefits associated with this safety instrument. In order to properly determine the benefit of the SSC following its implementation, a formal audit of morbidity and mortality is required.