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Surgery

Surgical procedures are undertaken in many healthcare settings including primary care and radiology. These procedures are undertaken in day surgery units and on an outpatient basis as well as during inpatient care. 

 

Between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008 there were 135,247 incidents reported in surgical specialities to the Reporting and Learning System (RLS).

 

The National Reporting and Learning Service is working to help healthcare organisations reduce the risks during surgery in a number of ways, including:

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  • Establishing the Clinical Board for Surgical Safety in October 2007. The Board is chaired by President of Royal College of Surgeons and membership includes representation from all relevant colleges and associations

  • Working with the World Health Organisation on their Safe Surgery Saves Lives Challenge, launched in June 2008

  • Developing a surgical safety checklist for England and Wales.

 

Search for guidance on improving patient safety during surgery below.

Search Directory
TitleIssue dateType
Reducing the risks of tourniquets left on after finger and toe surgery09 December 2009Alert
Pressure ulcers under plaster casts | Signal27 November 2009Signal
Recognition of compartment syndrome | Signal27 November 2009Signal
Residual anaesthetic drugs in cannulae | Signal27 November 2009Signal
Distance to travel for key on-call staff | Signal27 November 2009Signal
Wrong side biopsy | Signal27 November 2009Signal
Safer spinal (intrathecal), epidural and regional devices24 November 2009Alert
Surgical safety can be improved through better understanding of incidents 12 October 2009Data report
Oxygen safety in hospitals | Rapid Response Report29 September 2009Alert
Poor quality of organs for transplant | Signal24 September 2009Signal
Delayed diagnosis of testicular torsion | Signal24 September 2009Signal
Throat Packs28 April 2009Alert
Mitigating surgical risk in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty for fractures...11 March 2009Alert
Reducing risk of harm from oral bowel cleansing solutions19 February 2009Alert
Never Events Framework 2009/1001 February 2009Guidance
WHO Surgical Safety Checklist26 January 2009Alert
Avoiding wrong side burr holes / craniotomy11 December 2008Alert
Reducing dosing errors with opioid medicines04 July 2008Alert
Chest drains: risks associated with the insertion of chest drains01 May 2008Alert
Dealing with haemorrhage10 September 2007Alert

See also

 

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