WHO Surgical Checklist in Dermatology: Compliance, Barriers, and Attitudes

The World Health Organization (WHO) surgical checklist is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality. Efficacy correlates with compliance.

This study aims to (1) establish completion rate and (2) identify and address barriers to use.

Records of patients undergoing dermatological surgery were studied. Staff completed attitude and barriers questionnaires. Checklist process was modified, and use was reassessed twice.

Cycle 1 involved 217 subjects; 72% had excisions. Thirteen percent had surgery to multiple sites. Five percent of checklists were fully completed, with an average of 76% of available points per checklist marked as checked. The lowest single field use included "patient identity" (76%) and "surgical site" (72%). Questionnaire responses from 25 staff showed the checklist to be "important" and "relevant" in dermatology; key barrier to completion was lack of time. Checklist modifications and educational sessions were undertaken; checklist use was reassessed twice more with 103 and 134 patients. Average use increased to 96% and 98%; full completion increased to 71% and 70%; "surgical site" and "identity" completion increased to 100%.

The WHO checklist is relevant and important in dermatology. Introduction must be supported by repeated training sessions. Adequate time and training can significantly improve checklist completion and patient safety.