Robert Lützeler1, Manfred Uerlich2, Ulrich Ronellenfitsch3, Dawid Pieper1. 1. Universität Witten/Herdecke, Institut für Forschung in der Operativen Medizin, Köln, Deutschland. 2. Heinz-Werner-Seifert-Institut, Bonn, Deutschland. 3. Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik für Viszerale, Gefäß- und Endokrine Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Halle (Saale), Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Complications occur in 3 to 16% of surgical procedures. According to experts, about 50% of these adverse events are avoidable. It is empirically proven that mortality and complication rates can be reduced by introducing checklists. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, the quality of completion of the new checklist, which has already been used for several years, was compared with a checklist optimised by the Quality and Clinical Risk Management Department. The new surgical checklist was introduced at the beginning of January 2017 in a hospital providing primary and regular care. In addition, compliance-promoting measures (training, etc.) were carried out to encourage the use of the new checklist. RESULTS: A total of 293 surgical safety checklists each (pre and post) were evaluated. With the introduction of the new checklist for a total of 8 items, the quality of the surgical safety checklists consisting of 11 items improved. In the course of the implementation of the new surgical safety checklist, there was no item for which the quality of completion was reduced compared to the old list. CONCLUSION: It was proven that the introduction of these optimised surgical safety checklists in connection with compliance promoting measures resulted in a significantly improved quality of completion. However, in view of the literature on this topic, it can also be stated that the compliance-promoting measures made an important contribution to this result. Thieme. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Complications occur in 3 to 16% of surgical procedures. According to experts, about 50% of these adverse events are avoidable. It is empirically proven that mortality and complication rates can be reduced by introducing checklists. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this study, the quality of completion of the new checklist, which has already been used for several years, was compared with a checklist optimised by the Quality and Clinical Risk Management Department. The new surgical checklist was introduced at the beginning of January 2017 in a hospital providing primary and regular care. In addition, compliance-promoting measures (training, etc.) were carried out to encourage the use of the new checklist. RESULTS: A total of 293 surgical safety checklists each (pre and post) were evaluated. With the introduction of the new checklist for a total of 8 items, the quality of the surgical safety checklists consisting of 11 items improved. In the course of the implementation of the new surgical safety checklist, there was no item for which the quality of completion was reduced compared to the old list. CONCLUSION: It was proven that the introduction of these optimised surgical safety checklists in connection with compliance promoting measures resulted in a significantly improved quality of completion. However, in view of the literature on this topic, it can also be stated that the compliance-promoting measures made an important contribution to this result. Thieme. All rights reserved.