Safe surgery checklists: final conclusions

This quantitative research paper was the final of three Delphi study rounds that looked to address information raised as part of a wider study on the Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) across NHS hospital operating theatres in England. The aim of the study, through a combination of open-ended questions, was to solicit specific information, views and to establish from theatre safety experts on how the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SSC is being used and why intraoperative Never Events are still occurring over a decade after the SSC was introduced. 

The final round was aimed at drawing together the previous two rounds and offering participants the opportunity to revise their previously recorded judgements. Participants were from the seven regions identified by NHS England. The study revealed that there needs to be an increased emphasis placed on training on the delivery of the checklist, as participants felt that each step of the five was important and that training should be a combination of online, practical and simulation combined with non-technical skills. 

While the intention is not to establish whether the lack of training, engagement and human factors has led to an increased presence of intraoperative Never Events, methodological triangulation with the current known literature will provide an exploratory approach to inform a more in-depth doctoral research study intended to improve safety in the operating theatre, inform policy making and ultimately quality improvement. The paper addresses information raised as part of a research study of NHS hospital operating theatres in England.