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ABSTRACT
Following the Safe Surgery Saves Lives campaign (WHO, 2008), surgical safety checklists (SSCs) were introduced into human operating theatres as a tool to reduce the risk of preventable complications during the perioperative period. The SSC has been largely successful in reducing such incidents in the human field. The use of veterinary SSCs is currently limited, although the benefits of SSCs are likely to be transferable to the veterinary practice. This article discusses the introduction of an SSC into practice and its potential use as a clinical auditing tool.
Multiple Choice Questions
What is a Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC)?
(a) A tool to reduce the risk of preventable complications during the perioperative period
(b) A list of equipment that will be required during the surgery
(c) A tool to ensure that all staff in the practice are prepared for an emergency situation
(d) A document listing all the roles of staff members in the operating theatre
In human centred operating theatres, data tells us that the use of SSC has :
(a) Made operating times and waiting lists shorter
(b) Helped staff members get to know each other better
(c) Improved communication and reduced preventable incidents in theatre
(d) Reduced waste in the operating theatre
The three parts of a SSC are:
(a) Sign on, Time on, and Sign Out
(b) Log in, Time on, Exit
(c) Sign in, Time out, and Sign out.
(d) Log in, Time out, and Sign out.
During which part of the SSC do the team confirm the patient identification?
(a) Time out
(b) Sign in
(c) Sign out
(d) Log in
During which part of the SSC do the team discuss the equipment that is needed during the surgery?
(a) Time out
(b) Sign in
(c) Sign Out
(d) Log in
At which part of the SSC do the team discuss their concerns and any potential critical events?
(a) Time out
(b) Sign in
(c) Sign out
(d) Log in
Why is it useful to discuss potentially critical events before surgery starts?
(a) It allows staff to inform owners of patients about their concerns
(b) It allows staff to prepare for and be more alert to the possibility of such events
(c) It allows staff to prepare the rota and ask extra staff to stay late
(d) It allows staff to plan how the theatre will be cleaned after the operation
Which of the following is an example of a potentially critical event that might be discussed during the SSC?
(a) The diet that the patient will need after the surgery
(b) Acute blood loss and the planned action required if it occurs
(c) The time that the owners will likely be able to collect their animal
(d) The use of suture material during the surgery
What is clinical governance?
(a) Working according to the Code of Conduct
(b) Ensuring that you keep your CPD hours up to date
(c) Working using the latest textbook and online information
(d) A process of reflection, analysis and improvement of practice
Clinical audits and Morbidity and Mortality (M+M) rounds are both examples of:
(a) Collected data and opinion that may facilitate clinical governance
(b) Useful CPD hours
(c) Ways to try and use electronic records better
(d) Activities that all practices must do weekly
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Lindsay Clapham
Lindsay Clapham Bsc(Hons) CVNDipAVN(Small Animal) RVN Lindsay qualified in 2005 and joined Vale Referrals in 2013 as the senior referral nurse. She enjoys all aspects of referral nursing but has a particular interest in anaesthesia.