Opinions of Anesthesiologists and Surgeons about World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist in a Tertiary hospital in Iran, 2012

Abstract

The aim of this study was determine the opinions of clinicians in order to modify the surgical safety checklist(SSC) to make it compatible for use in hospitalsof Iran. Methods:In a cross-sectional study, the views of surgeons and anesthesiologists of the main teaching hospital in Tabriz-Imam Reza Hospital-were taken by a form attached to the main checklist. The participants in this study were asked to write their opinions on each item of the checklist based on the environment of the hospital. The opinions were classified and analyzed. Results:Most of the anesthesiologists(87.5%) and some of the surgeons (18%)recommended to change the fourth item of sign-in part. They suggested using vital sign and base monitoring instead of pulse oximetry. Three of the physicians added the "Internal Medicine Consultation" and "output monitoring" to the Critical Events Anticipation item. Hemorrhage, vomiting, nausea, and hemodynamic disorders were added to the key concerns of recovery and management item by 75% of anesthesiologists. Conclusion:It is better to modify the Surgical Safety Checklist based on the local needs and facilities of each hospital. Surgeons and anesthesiologists in an Iranian teaching hospital suggested adding some items to each part of SSC.