The anaesthetist and the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist

Authors

  • Peter Crichton Gordon UCT
  • Anthony Raddon Reed UCT

Keywords:

anaesthesia, safety

Abstract

Correctly implemented, the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist (WHO SSCL) may be a breakthrough in surgical patient care. The WHO SSCL was developed as part of the WHO’s World Alliance for Patient Safety Safe Surgery Saves Lives initiative. The project was led by Atul Gawande, a Boston-based endocrine surgeon, and developed over several months through discussions and meetings with surgeons, anaesthetists, operating nurses, and technical experts from around the world. It aims to reinforce accepted safety practices, and foster better communication and teamwork in theatres, thereby improving patient safety.

Author Biographies

Peter Crichton Gordon, UCT

BSc, MB BCh, FFA (SA) Assoc Professor Department of Anaesthesia

Anthony Raddon Reed, UCT

MB BCh, FCA Chief Specialist Department of Anaesthesia

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Published

2011-11-29

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Guest Editorial

License

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The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial Works 4.0 South Africa License. The SAJAA does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.