IMPLEMENTING THE WHO SURGICAL SAFETY CHECKLIST AT A UK HOSPITAL

In 2009, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) issued an alert to UK NHS surgical organisations requiring the launch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC). This Checklist is a tool which aims to reduce clinical safety risks associated with surgical procedures. In collaboration with the NPSA, Human Engineering undertook a programme of work to support a UK Hospital (HI) to prepare for this implementation. It was understood that successful SSC application would require significant process and behaviour change. A user centred design approach incorporating observations and interviews was used to identify barriers, develop persona characteristics of user groups and process map existing pathways so that an implementation plan could be agreed. This paper outlines significant learning points and the recommendations of developing an implementation plan for the SSC in a UK hospital.