WHO Surgical Safety Time-Out

Surgery · OT · 10–20 min

Three-phase surgical checklist reducing perioperative errors.

Indications

  • • Every surgery

Equipment

  • • WHO checklist

Positioning

  • • As appropriate for the procedure and patient comfort.

Consent

  • • Explain indication, benefits, alternatives
  • • Explain risks & complications
  • • Obtain written/verbal consent as per SOP
  • • Document consent

Universal precautions

  • • Hand hygiene
  • • PPE — gloves, mask, eye protection
  • • Aseptic technique
  • • Sharps safety
  • • Verify patient identity & site

Step-by-step (0/3)

Tap to complete

Identity, procedure, site, consent, allergies, airway/aspiration risk, blood loss risk.

Delayed complications

  • • Wrong-site surgery if skipped

Prevention

  • • Never skip time-out

Post-procedure observation

  • • Vitals q15min × 1h then hourly

Monitoring

  • • Site inspection
  • • Symptom review

Documentation

  • • Procedure note
  • • Consent
  • • Findings

Patient instructions

  • • Report pain, bleeding, fever, worsening symptoms

Educational bedside guide. Perform only under supervision until competent. Follow local SOPs and consent policy.

WardRound

WardRound

Clinical Decisions in Seconds