Surgical Safety Checklists & Patient Protection
How Standardized Protocols Prevent Surgical Errors
By Dr. Ankur Bhanushali – General, Laparoscopic & Patient Safety-Focused Surgeon
What Are Surgical Safety Checklists?
Surgical safety checklists are structured verification tools used before, during, and after surgery to ensure every critical safety step is followed.
At Aayush Multispeciality Hospital, Thane, surgical checklists are mandatory for all procedures, from daycare surgery to major emergency operations.
Why Surgical Safety Checklists Are Essential
Even experienced teams can miss steps under pressure. Checklists help to:
✔ Prevent wrong-site surgery
✔ Reduce anesthesia-related errors
✔ Ensure correct patient identification
✔ Improve communication between teams
✔ Reduce post-operative complications
✔ Increase patient confidence
Safety is systematic—not accidental.
WHO Surgical Safety Checklist – Three Key Phases
1️⃣ Sign In (Before Anesthesia)
✔ Patient identity confirmed
✔ Surgical site & procedure verified
✔ Consent checked
✔ Anesthesia safety review
✔ Allergy status confirmed
This phase prevents avoidable mistakes.
2️⃣ Time Out (Before Skin Incision)
✔ Surgeon, anesthetist & nurses confirm details
✔ Procedure reconfirmed
✔ Antibiotic timing checked
✔ Equipment readiness verified
✔ Imaging availability confirmed
Team communication is strengthened here.
3️⃣ Sign Out (Before Leaving OT)
✔ Procedure documented
✔ Instrument & sponge count verified
✔ Specimens labeled correctly
✔ Post-op instructions communicated
This ensures a safe transition to recovery.
Role of the Surgical Team in Checklist Compliance
✔ Surgeon leads verification
✔ Anesthetist confirms airway & drugs
✔ Nurses ensure sterility & counts
✔ OT staff coordinate workflow
Safety is a shared responsibility.
Checklists in Emergency Surgery
Even in emergencies:
✔ Rapid checklist execution
✔ Focus on life-saving steps
✔ No compromise on patient identity
Speed and safety go together.
Checklist Use in Daycare & Minor Procedures
✔ Same protocols followed
✔ Zero shortcuts
✔ Equal safety standards
Procedure size does not change safety requirements.
How Checklists Reduce Surgical Complications
✔ Lower infection rates
✔ Reduced bleeding errors
✔ Improved anesthesia outcomes
✔ Fewer post-op surprises
Evidence supports checklist effectiveness.
Patient Involvement in Surgical Safety
Patients are encouraged to:
✔ Ask about procedure details
✔ Confirm surgical site
✔ Share complete medical history
An informed patient adds another safety layer.
Continuous Audit & Training
At Aayush Hospital:
✔ Regular checklist audits
✔ Staff retraining
✔ Incident analysis
✔ Process improvements
Safety culture is continuously strengthened.
Why Choose Aayush Multispeciality Hospital for Safe Surgery?
✔ Mandatory safety checklist use
✔ Trained surgical teams
✔ Ethical practice standards
✔ Transparent patient communication
✔ Zero-tolerance for shortcuts
Aayush Multispeciality Hospital – Full Details
1st Floor, Marigold Apartment, Almeda Road,
Panch Pakhdi, Thane West – 400602, Maharashtra, India
📞 +91 86910 33033
🌐 https://drankurbhanushali.com
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/3Msc7YZqVkV9mQMQ7
📧 drankur.bhanushali@gmail.com
Dr. Ankur Surgical Clinic – OPD & Surgical Planning
Shop No 4, Laxmi Krupa Building, Edulji Road,
Charai, Thane West – 400602, Maharashtra, India
📞 +91 86910 33066
🌐 https://bestsurgeoninthane.com
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/XmmGNbgFyhGcqfvV6
Book a Safe Surgery Consultation
📞 Hospital Enquiries: +91 86910 33033
📞 Clinic OPD: +91 86910 33066
🌐 Online Booking:
https://bestsurgeoninthane.com
