AORN Comprehensive Surgical Checklist Tool Kit

Purpose

The AORN Comprehensive Surgical Checklist includes key safety checks as outlined in the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist and The Joint Commission Universal Protocol. It is designed for use in all types of facilities (eg, hospital ORs, ambulatory surgery settings, physician offices).

Using color codes to signify items from the WHO checklist, The Joint Commission Universal Protocol, and areas where the two overlap, the Comprehensive Surgical Checklist offers guidance for preprocedural check in, sign in, time out, and sign out. Open-ended questions are also included to encourage active participation from all members of the surgical team.

Standardized Checklist Guidelines

Perioperative team members should use a standardized checklist during the time out or during other critical events or processes. There is strong evidence to support the use of a standardized checklist during the time-out process to improve communication and reduce the potential for errors in perioperative and procedural settings.

  • Customization of checklists based on specialized surgical procedures and unique characteristics of patients, with input from all members of the perioperative team, leads to development of meaningful and relevant checklists.
  • Join the campaign to promote patient safety and support time out for every patient, every time.

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AORN offers this tool kit free to all members.
Please use your member login to access these valuable tools.

Accreditation

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Content Reuse Policy

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Copyright

Copyright ©2022 AORN, Inc. All rights reserved. Except as noted herein, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from AORN, Inc.

Notice

No responsibility is assumed by AORN, Inc. for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any standards, recommended practices, methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in the material herein. Because of rapid advances in the health care sciences in particular, independent verification of diagnoses, medication dosages, and individualized care and treatment should be made. The material contained herein is not intended to be a substitute for the exercise of professional medical or nursing judgment The content in this publication is provided on an as is basis.

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