World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist

Authored by Open Medicine, published on 2026-07-27 22:19:51.0

Before induction checklist (with at least nurse and anaesthetist)

Has the patient confirmed identity, site, procedure, and consent? (Yes) Is the site marked? (Yes / Not applicable) Anaesthesia machine & medication check complete? (Yes) Pulse oximeter on patient and functioning? (Yes) Does the patient have: Known allergy? (No / Yes) Difficult airway or aspiration risk? (No / Yes, equipment/assistance available) Risk of >500ml blood loss (7ml/kg in children)? (No / Yes, two IVs/central access & fluids planned)
- Has the patient confirmed identity, site, procedure, and consent? (Yes)
  - Is the site marked? (Yes / Not applicable)
    - Anaesthesia machine & medication check complete? (Yes)
      - Pulse oximeter on patient and functioning? (Yes)
        
        Does the patient have: Known allergy? (No / Yes)
        
        Difficult airway or aspiration risk? (No / Yes, equipment/assistance available)
        
        Risk of >500ml blood loss (7ml/kg in children)? (No / Yes, two IVs/central access & fluids planned)
        
        Before skin incision (with nurse, anaesthetist and surgeon)
        
        Confirm all team members introduced themselves by name and role Confirm patient's name, procedure, and where incision will be made Antibiotic prophylaxis within last 60 minutes? (Yes / Not applicable) Anticipated Critical Events: - To Surgeon: critical/non-routine steps; how long; anticipated blood loss - To Anaesthetist: patient-specific concerns - To Nursing Team: sterility confirmed? equipment issues/concerns? Essential imaging displayed? (Yes / Not applicable)
        
        Confirm all team members introduced themselves by name and role
        
        Confirm patient's name, procedure, and where incision will be made
        
        Antibiotic prophylaxis within last 60 minutes? (Yes / Not applicable)
        
        Discuss Anticipated Critical Events
        
        Anticipated Critical Events: To Surgeon: critical/non-routine steps; how long; anticipated blood loss To Anaesthetist: patient-specific concerns To Nursing Team: sterility confirmed? equipment issues/concerns?
        
        Essential imaging displayed? (Yes / Not applicable)
        
        Before patient leaves operating room (with nurse, anaesthetist and surgeon)
        
        Nurse verbally confirms: name of procedure, completion of instrument/sponge/needle counts, specimen labelling (read labels aloud incl. patient name), equipment problems to be addressed
        
        To Surgeon, Anaesthetist and Nurse: key concerns for recovery and management?

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