BACKGROUND: While positive short-term effects of the use of safety checklists have previously been reported by personnel, it is unclear to which extent these effects are maintained for a long-term period. The aim of the present study was to evaluate perioperative safety standards and the quality of interprofessional cooperation from the viewpoint of the involved personnel for up to 2 years following the introduction of a safety checklist. METHODS: A survey of 99 co-workers in the departments of anaesthesiology and traumatology was conducted using a 19-point questionnaire concerning perioperative safety-relevant aspects and the quality of interprofessional cooperation before and at 3, 18, and 24 months after the introduction of a safety checklist. RESULTS: Verification of written consent for surgery (P < 0.01), clear marking of the surgical site (P < 0.01), and time management (P < 0.05) were rated more positively over time by the anaesthesiologists and nurses. Items involving communication were rated less positively after 18 and 24 months than at 3 months. Orthopaedic surgeons rated being better informed about the patients (P < 0.05), the planned operation (P < 0.01), and the assignment of tasks during surgery (P < 0.01) progressively more positively over the time. CONCLUSIONS: Some positive effects concerning the perioperative organisation and management were rated more positively even 2 years after checklist implementation. However, interprofessional communication and cooperation did not show long-term improvement from staff members' point of view. Probably longer lasting effects for the latter aspects could be achieved by repeated instruction and communication training.
BACKGROUND: While positive short-term effects of the use of safety checklists have previously been reported by personnel, it is unclear to which extent these effects are maintained for a long-term period. The aim of the present study was to evaluate perioperative safety standards and the quality of interprofessional cooperation from the viewpoint of the involved personnel for up to 2 years following the introduction of a safety checklist. METHODS: A survey of 99 co-workers in the departments of anaesthesiology and traumatology was conducted using a 19-point questionnaire concerning perioperative safety-relevant aspects and the quality of interprofessional cooperation before and at 3, 18, and 24 months after the introduction of a safety checklist. RESULTS: Verification of written consent for surgery (P < 0.01), clear marking of the surgical site (P < 0.01), and time management (P < 0.05) were rated more positively over time by the anaesthesiologists and nurses. Items involving communication were rated less positively after 18 and 24 months than at 3 months. Orthopaedic surgeons rated being better informed about the patients (P < 0.05), the planned operation (P < 0.01), and the assignment of tasks during surgery (P < 0.01) progressively more positively over the time. CONCLUSIONS: Some positive effects concerning the perioperative organisation and management were rated more positively even 2 years after checklist implementation. However, interprofessional communication and cooperation did not show long-term improvement from staff members' point of view. Probably longer lasting effects for the latter aspects could be achieved by repeated instruction and communication training.
Authors: I Rodrigo-Rincon; M P Martin-Vizcaino; B Tirapu-Leon; P Zabalza-Lopez; N Zaballos-Barcala; P Villalgordo-Ortin; F J Abad-Vicente; J Gost-Garde Journal: Acta Anaesthesiol Scand Date: 2014-12-05 Impact factor: 2.105
Authors: María Bodí; Iban Oliva; Maria Cruz Martín; Maria Carmen Gilavert; Carlos Muñoz; Montserrat Olona; Gonzalo Sirgo Journal: Ann Intensive Care Date: 2017-02-28 Impact factor: 6.925
Authors: Andrea Niederhauser; Stephanie Züllig; Jonas Marschall; Alexander Schweiger; Gregor John; Stefan P Kuster; David Lb Schwappach Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-10-28 Impact factor: 2.692