Implementing a Surgical Safety Checklist for In-office Procedures-Implementing a Surgical Safety Checklist for In-office Procedures

Implementing a Surgical Safety Checklist for In-office Procedures

Pdf Summary

The AANA Journal article discusses the increasing trend of performing medical procedures in office settings and the importance of implementing surgical safety checklists (SSCs) in such environments to reduce preventable errors and enhance patient safety. The project detailed in the article was designed to implement an SSC protocol at a clinic that began offering in-office surgical procedures with anesthesia. The goal was to ensure 90% compliance with the SSC during these procedures over a three-month period.<br /><br />The initiative involved educating procedural staff, including three surgeons, three medical assistants, and one anesthesia provider, about the SSC. The achievement of the project was notable, with the staff successfully implementing the SSC in 96% of the procedures (28 out of 29), thereby exceeding the compliance goal. Feedback indicated that the staff appreciated the checklist's impact, with some even adopting its use for all procedures and injections beyond the project scope.<br /><br />The use of SSCs is founded on initiatives begun by the World Health Organization in 2007 to improve surgery safety globally. The SSC is known to reduce surgical complications, catch near-misses, enhance team communication, and ensure patient safety. Despite their proven benefits in hospital settings, SSCs are just beginning to gain traction for non-operating room procedures. The project's success highlights how SSCs can be effectively integrated into office-based settings, with the potential to significantly mitigate risks and improve safety standards.<br /><br />In conclusion, the project demonstrated the successful implementation of an SSC policy, achieving high compliance rates and positive feedback from staff, underscoring the checklist's role in fostering a culture of safety in in-office medical procedures.

Keywords

surgical safety checklists

in-office procedures

patient safety

compliance

World Health Organization

safety standards

anesthesia

medical staff education

risk mitigation

surgery complications