Compliance with WHO surgical safety checklist in otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary care center: A retrospective study

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Surgical safety checklist is crucial for patient safety and enhanced communication between operating team members. It decreases surgical morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization rate of Surgical Safety Checklist introduced by World Health Organization and completion of its 19-items during surgeries of ear, nose, neck and throat in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study conducted in the Department of ENT-HNS, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal from 14^thApril, 2024 to 15^thOctober, 2024.  Surgical Safety Checklist attached in 111 charts of patients who had undergone surgeries of ear, nose, neck and throat under General Anesthesia were evaluated. Percentage of utilization and completeness of the checklist were calculated.

Results:

The utilization of Surgical Safety Checklist in Otorhinolaryngology was found to be 67.56% (75 out of 111 charts). The entirely filled checklist was observed in only 8 out of 75 (10.67%) charts. Time-out section was completed in nearly hundred percent charts. Sign-in was complete in 64 (85.33%) charts. The least completed section was the sign-out section, which was filled in only 8 (10.67%) charts.

Conclusion:

Utilization and completion of Surgical Safety Checklist in Otorhinolaryngology surgery was below optimum. Time-out was the most fulfilled section while sign-out was the least filled section in the checklist.