This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7472705.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Safety checklist for ops launched | Safety checklist for ops launched |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A safety checklist designed to cut the risk of surgical complications is to be circulated to doctors world-wide. | A safety checklist designed to cut the risk of surgical complications is to be circulated to doctors world-wide. |
| The list has been drawn up by the World Health Organization (WHO), which says half of complications resulting from major surgery may be preventable. | The list has been drawn up by the World Health Organization (WHO), which says half of complications resulting from major surgery may be preventable. |
| A Lancet study found that basic safety measures were often overlooked at hospitals around the world. | A Lancet study found that basic safety measures were often overlooked at hospitals around the world. |
| The WHO estimates that up to 16% of surgical procedures in industrial nations result in major complications. | The WHO estimates that up to 16% of surgical procedures in industrial nations result in major complications. |
| In developing countries the death rate during major surgery is estimated to be as high as 10%. | In developing countries the death rate during major surgery is estimated to be as high as 10%. |
| Margaret Chan, WHO director general, said: "Preventable surgical injuries and deaths are now a growing concern Margaret Chan, WHO director general | Margaret Chan, WHO director general, said: "Preventable surgical injuries and deaths are now a growing concern Margaret Chan, WHO director general |
| In parts of sub-Saharan Africa the death rate from general anaesthesia alone is estimated to be as high as one in 150. | In parts of sub-Saharan Africa the death rate from general anaesthesia alone is estimated to be as high as one in 150. |
| Margaret Chan, WHO director general, said: "Preventable surgical injuries and deaths are now a growing concern. | Margaret Chan, WHO director general, said: "Preventable surgical injuries and deaths are now a growing concern. |
| "Using a checklist is the best way to reduce surgical errors and improve patient safety." | "Using a checklist is the best way to reduce surgical errors and improve patient safety." |
| Extensive consultation | Extensive consultation |
| The WHO checklist has been drawn up by a team at Harvard School of Public Health, following a consultation with more than 200 medical organisations from around the world. | The WHO checklist has been drawn up by a team at Harvard School of Public Health, following a consultation with more than 200 medical organisations from around the world. |
| FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES Surgical Safety Checklist [765KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| Its primary aim is to target the three biggest cause of mortality in surgery - preventable infections, preventable complication from bleeding, and safety in anesthesia. | Its primary aim is to target the three biggest cause of mortality in surgery - preventable infections, preventable complication from bleeding, and safety in anesthesia. |
| It includes six basic steps in care, including verifying that it is the correct patient, ensuring equipment is not left inside the patient, and administering an antibiotic before making an incision - which cuts the risk of infection by half. | It includes six basic steps in care, including verifying that it is the correct patient, ensuring equipment is not left inside the patient, and administering an antibiotic before making an incision - which cuts the risk of infection by half. |
| Preliminary results from patients at eight pilot sites - including London, Seattle and Toronto - indicate that the checklist has nearly doubled the likelihood that patients will receive proven standards of surgical care, leading to a significant cut in complications and deaths. | Preliminary results from patients at eight pilot sites - including London, Seattle and Toronto - indicate that the checklist has nearly doubled the likelihood that patients will receive proven standards of surgical care, leading to a significant cut in complications and deaths. |
| The study, published in the Lancet, found that before the checklist was used there was a 64% chance that at least one of the procedures was forgotten - with no difference between rich and developing countries. | The study, published in the Lancet, found that before the checklist was used there was a 64% chance that at least one of the procedures was forgotten - with no difference between rich and developing countries. |
| There have been major improvements in surgical operations in recent years. | There have been major improvements in surgical operations in recent years. |
| But Professor Atul Gawande, of Harvard, said: "The quality and safety of surgical care has been dismayingly variable in every part of the world. | But Professor Atul Gawande, of Harvard, said: "The quality and safety of surgical care has been dismayingly variable in every part of the world. |
| "What we identified was that the idea of a checklist to make sure the basic steps are taken, could make a big difference not only in the poorest part of the world but even in the rich ones." | "What we identified was that the idea of a checklist to make sure the basic steps are taken, could make a big difference not only in the poorest part of the world but even in the rich ones." |
| Doctors enthusiastic | Doctors enthusiastic |
| Dr Isabeau Walker, of London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, was consulted during the drawing up of the checklist, and has been using it. | Dr Isabeau Walker, of London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, was consulted during the drawing up of the checklist, and has been using it. |
| She said: "It is brilliant. A very simple intervention to help people talk to each other, and work better together as a team. | She said: "It is brilliant. A very simple intervention to help people talk to each other, and work better together as a team. |
| "These are things we do all the time as routine as a team, but having a checklist just gives pause for thought before the start of an operation for us to say 'yes, we have done all that'." | "These are things we do all the time as routine as a team, but having a checklist just gives pause for thought before the start of an operation for us to say 'yes, we have done all that'." |
| Health Minister Lord Darzi, a practising surgeon, said: "I feel confident that the introduction of the surgical safety checklist will improve the safety of patients who undergo surgery in the UK." | Health Minister Lord Darzi, a practising surgeon, said: "I feel confident that the introduction of the surgical safety checklist will improve the safety of patients who undergo surgery in the UK." |
| World-wide, an estimated 234 million operations are carried out a year, and about one million people die each year following major surgery. | World-wide, an estimated 234 million operations are carried out a year, and about one million people die each year following major surgery. |
| According the National Patient Safety Agency, there were 129,000 reported incidents in which patients were put at risk in the UK last year. | According the National Patient Safety Agency, there were 129,000 reported incidents in which patients were put at risk in the UK last year. |