Surgical Safety Checklist Compliance

Surgical Safety Checklist Compliance

How is Surgical Safety Checklist Compliance calculated?

The percent compliance is calculated as follows: 

Number of times all three phases of the surgical safety checklist was performed x 100
Total surgeries 

The surgical safety checklist is considered “performed” when the designated checklist coordinator confirms that surgical team members have implemented and/or addressed all of the necessary tasks and items in each of the three phases: Sign In, Surgical Pause and Sign out Time Out. Note: Markham Stouffville Hospital has also added an additional phase to the checklist – Nursing Handoff.

Percent Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a surgical safety checklist?

A surgical safety checklist is a patient safety communication tool that is used by a team of operating room professionals (nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and others) to discuss important details about each surgical case. In many ways, the surgical checklist is similar to an airline pilot’s checklist used just before take-off. It is a final check prior to surgery used to make sure everyone knows the important medical information they need to know about the patient, all equipment is available and in working order, and everyone is ready to proceed.  

What information is included in a surgical safety checklist?

Some examples of items contained in the checklist:

The Sign In Phase:

• Verify with patient name and procedure to be done
• Allergy Check
• Medications Check
• Operation site, side and procedure
• Lab tests, X-rays  

The Surgical Pause Phase:
• Surgical procedure
• Operation site and side
• Antibiotics check  

The Sign Out Phase:
• Surgeon reviews important items
• Anesthesiologist reviews important items
• Nurse reviews correct counts  

Nursing Handoff Phase:
Markham Stouffville Hospital has added this phase to ensure appropriate information is relayed by the circulating nurse during a nursing handoff. During this phase, the circulating nurse relays important information including the patient’s name, diagnosis, surgery progress and plan, specimens, etc. 

Will a surgical safety checklist be used on me?

If you undergo a surgery at Markham Stouffville Hospital you can expect that the surgical safety checklist will be used as part of the procedure. It will be used by your health-care team before, during and after your surgery to help the health-care team familiarize themselves with your medical history and any special requirements that may be needed for your individual case. 

If you have any questions about Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Surgical Safety Checklist Compliance, please contact:

Mary-Lou James
Director, Patient Relations
905-472-7095