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Hospital Surgical Services and Operating Room Safety Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing hospital surgical services and operating room safety measures to ensure high-quality, safe, and efficient surgical care.

Hospital Surgical Services and Operating Room Safety Audit Checklist
by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

The Hospital Surgical Services and Operating Room Safety Audit Checklist is a critical tool for ensuring the highest standards of patient safety, efficiency, and quality in surgical care. This comprehensive checklist evaluates all aspects of surgical services, from preoperative preparation to intraoperative procedures and postoperative care. Regular audits using this checklist help hospitals maintain compliance with surgical safety protocols, reduce the risk of surgical errors, optimize resource utilization, and enhance overall surgical outcomes. By prioritizing operating room safety and surgical service quality, hospitals can significantly improve patient care, reduce complications, and maintain a culture of safety in high-risk surgical environments.

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Industry

Healthcare

Standard

WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice

Workspaces

Hospitals

Occupations

Surgeon
Operating Room Nurse
Anesthesiologist
Surgical Technician
Patient Safety Officer

Surgical Safety Practices

(0 / 5)

1
Has the surgical team briefing been conducted?

Indicate if the briefing was conducted.

To ensure all team members are aware of the surgical plan and roles.
2
Are infection control measures in place?

Select the appropriate option.

To verify that infection control protocols are being adhered to.
3
What time was prophylactic antibiotic administration completed?

Enter the time in hours.

To ensure antibiotics are administered within the recommended timeframe.
Min: 0
Max: 24
4
What is the identified surgical site?

Provide the surgical site information.

To confirm the correct site for surgery to prevent errors.
5
Has the preoperative safety check been completed?

Select the appropriate option.

To ensure all safety protocols are followed before surgery.
6
Has a functionality check been performed on the surgical equipment?

Indicate if a functionality check has been performed.

To ensure all equipment is functioning properly before use.
7
Is all surgical equipment properly sterilized?

Select the appropriate option.

To ensure all instruments are safe to use and minimize infection risk.
8
How many pieces of surgical equipment are ready for use?

Enter the number of equipment pieces.

To confirm that the correct quantity of equipment is available for the procedure.
Min: 1
Max: 100
9
What is the date of the last calibration for the surgical equipment?

Enter the last calibration date.

To verify that all equipment has been calibrated to ensure safety and effectiveness.
10
Is all necessary surgical equipment available and functioning?

Select the appropriate option.

To ensure that all required equipment is ready for the procedure.
11
Has the patient's position for surgery been verified?

Indicate if the patient's position has been verified.

To ensure the patient is positioned correctly and safely for the procedure.
12
Have all allergies been checked and documented?

Select the appropriate option.

To avoid any allergic reactions during surgery.
13
What is the preoperative assessment score for the patient?

Enter the assessment score (1-10).

To evaluate the patient's readiness and identify any potential risks.
Min: 1
Max: 10
14
Is the patient's consent documentation complete and signed?

Provide details on patient consent.

To ensure that informed consent has been obtained prior to the procedure.
15
Has patient identification been verified?

Select the appropriate option.

To prevent any errors related to patient identity before surgery.
16
Has a surgical team briefing been conducted prior to the procedure?

Indicate if the briefing has taken place.

To ensure that all team members are aligned on the surgical plan.
17
Has the surgical team confirmed familiarity with the equipment being used?

Select the appropriate option.

To ensure all team members are trained and knowledgeable about the equipment.
18
How many team members are present and ready for the procedure?

Enter the number of team members present.

To ensure adequate staffing for the surgical procedure.
Min: 1
Max: 20
19
What communication protocols are in place for the surgical team?

Describe the communication protocols.

To verify that effective communication methods are established among team members.
20
Have all surgical team roles been assigned and confirmed?

Select the appropriate option.

To ensure that each team member knows their responsibilities during the procedure.
21
Have emergency protocols been reviewed with the anesthesia team?

Indicate if the emergency protocols have been reviewed.

To ensure that the team is prepared for any potential complications.
22
Is all anesthesia equipment checked and functioning properly?

Select the appropriate option.

To ensure that all equipment is ready and safe for use during the procedure.
23
What time was the last vital signs assessment performed?

Enter the time in hours prior to surgery.

To confirm that vital signs were monitored prior to anesthesia administration.
Min: 0
Max: 24
24
What is the documented anesthesia plan for the patient?

Provide details of the anesthesia plan.

To ensure that the anesthesia plan is tailored to the patient's needs.
25
Has the anesthesia consent been verified and signed?

Select the appropriate option.

To ensure that the patient has given informed consent for anesthesia.

FAQs

Hospitals should conduct comprehensive surgical services and operating room safety audits at least semi-annually. However, certain high-risk procedures or critical safety measures may require more frequent monitoring, such as monthly checks or real-time observational audits.

Key areas include preoperative patient assessment and preparation, surgical site marking, time-out procedures, infection control practices, equipment sterilization and management, medication safety, team communication, anesthesia protocols, post-operative care transitions, and surgical outcome monitoring.

The audit should involve a multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, operating room nurses, surgical technicians, infection control specialists, quality improvement officers, and patient safety coordinators. Input from patients through post-surgical surveys can also provide valuable insights.

Audit results can be used to identify areas for improvement in surgical processes, update safety protocols, enhance staff training programs, optimize resource allocation, and implement new safety technologies. They also help in tracking surgical outcomes, identifying trends in near-misses or adverse events, and demonstrating compliance with accreditation standards.

Technology plays a crucial role through electronic health records for surgical documentation, automated surgical count systems, real-time monitoring of patient vital signs, surgical video recording for quality review, and data analytics for tracking surgical outcomes. Advanced technologies like AI-assisted surgical planning and robotic-assisted surgeries can further enhance surgical precision and safety.

Benefits

Reduces the risk of surgical errors and complications

Enhances patient safety through standardized surgical protocols

Improves efficiency and resource utilization in surgical services

Ensures compliance with surgical safety regulations and best practices

Promotes a culture of safety and continuous improvement in surgical care