[Skip to content]

NHS
Loading
.

10 for 2010: Five steps to safer surgery

No avoidable harm associated with perioperative care, to be achieved by supporting implementation of Five Steps to Safer Surgery programme.

 

A core set of safety checks, initiated at safety critical time points within the patients care pathway, have been identified in the form of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist for use in any operating theatre environment with the caveat that it can be adapted to fit local practice. 

The checklist is not designed as a tick box exercise. It is a tool to initiate meaningful and purposeful conversation between relevant members of the clinical team to improve the safety of surgery.

 

From experience and feedback over the last year, the addition of team brief and debriefing sessions at the beginning and the end of theatre lists, (advocated by the Patient Safety First Campaign,) are key to succeeding in the cultural change required and are now supported by NPSA as a vital adjunct to the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist.

 

Resources and materials are available below to support this 10 for 2010 programme

 

 

Search Directory
TitleIssue dateType
How to guide to the five steps to safer surgery20 December 2010Guidance
WHO surgical safety checklist: for maternity cases only11 November 2010Guidance
WHO Surgical Safety Checklist: for cataract surgery only 27 May 2010Guidance
WHO Surgical Safety Checklist: for radiological interventions only09 April 2010Guidance
Surgical safety can be improved through better understanding of incidents 12 October 2009Data report
WHO Surgical Safety Checklist26 January 2009Alert

See Also

Video

Video icon
Five steps to safer surgery film