How safe is the patient in the orthopedic OT? – An evaluation of compliance of surgical safety checklist

Abstract

Patient safety is of paramount importance especially in the present day scenario. It has emerged as a new discipline. One of the ways of ensuring this in the operating theatre is by following a surgical safety check list, given by the WHO and adapted by institutions. We have analyzed the compliance of this in the orthopedic major operating theatre and have found that it is adhered to very strictly. This has minimized most of the errors such as side and site of surgery to zero percent. We strongly recommend the adherence to a similar surgical safety checklist in all institutions with busy operating theatres, such that many errors could be nullified and patient’s safety is ensured. Keywords: Patient safety, Orthopedic theatre, Surgical safety checklist, Compliance.