PDCA CYCLE FOR PREPARING A SURGICAL SAFETY CHECKLIST

Abstract

The aim of this study was to use the continuous quality improvement methodology in preparing a surgical safety checklist for the pre- and postoperative periods in inpatient units. The research was carried out with 16 nurses participating from 8 surgical units at a university hospital in south Brazil between March 2013 and October 2014. The joint elaboration of the checklist was guided by the continuous improvement cycle and by the Safe Surgery Saves Lives program. The checklist was subjected to a pilot test with 450 instruments filled out and analyzed by descriptive statistics. After adjustments made from the evaluation, it was approved with the title “Pre- and Postoperative Surgical Safety Checklist” with 85 indicators grouped into 6 categories: I) Identification, II) Pre-operative, III) Immediate Postoperative, IV) Mediate Postoperative, V) Complications, and VI) Hospital Discharge/transfer. The instrument can contribute to preventive actions of errors, monitor signs and symptoms, and produce indicators for safe assistance for the surgical patient.

Keywords

• Checklist
• Pre-operative care
• Postoperative Care
• Patient safety