The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist reduces complications and mortality associated with surgical procedures. It ensures that the surgical team performs critical safety checks.
Three Phases of the Checklist
- 1. Sign In (Before induction of anesthesia): Confirm patient identity, consent, surgical site marking, pulse oximetry, and allergy history.
- 2. Time Out (Before skin incision): Verbal confirmation of team member names, patient identity, planned procedure, surgical site, anticipated blood loss, and antibiotic prophylaxis status.
- 3. Sign Out (Before patient leaves the OR): Confirm instrument/sponge counts, specimen labeling, and document recovery plans.
