Template

World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist

by Renan Silveira, from the Community

This WHO Surgical Safety Checklist template helps operating room teams reduce errors and complications by standardizing key safety steps before anaesthesia, before incision, and before the patient leaves the OR. It covers identity and consent confirmation, site marking, anaesthesia machine and medication checks, pulse oximeter use, allergy and airway risks, anticipated blood loss, team introductions, antibiotic prophylaxis timing, equipment and sterility confirmations, essential imaging display, and final counts and specimen labeling. Prompts guide surgeons, anaesthetists, and nursing staff to share critical concerns and align on recovery plans. The checklist is widely adopted and can be adapted to local practice.

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This community page makes available free workplace checklists and templates created by other users within the SafetyCulture community. SafetyCulture has re-published this content and where possible, has credited the original author. SafetyCulture has not verified the accuracy, reliability or suitability of any community content. You agree that your use of any of this content is in accordance with SafetyCulture’s Terms and Conditions.

Template
WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
This WHO Surgical Safety Checklist helps surgical teams reduce errors and complications by aligning on critical steps before anesthesia, before incision, and before the patient leaves the operating room. It prompts verification of patient identity, procedure, site marking, anesthesia machine and medication checks, pulse oximetry, allergy status, airway risk, and expected blood loss. The team confirms introductions, planned procedure, incision site, timely antibiotic prophylaxis, sterility, equipment readiness, and essential imaging. Before sign out, nurses confirm counts, specimen labeling, equipment issues, and the team aligns on recovery concerns. Customize this template to fit local practice and strengthen teamwork and communication.
by misbah haq, from the Community
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Template
WHO Safe Surgery Checklist
Adopt the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist to strengthen operating room communication and patient safety. This template guides teams through pre-induction verification, anesthesia briefing, surgical time-out, team briefing, and pre-departure checks, including counts and specimen labeling. Finish with a structured debrief to surface issues and plan recovery. Based on best practice, it helps teams speak up, align on plans, and reduce risk across surgical procedures.
by Jeremy Fiest, from the Community
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Template
WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist was developed after extensive consultation aiming to decrease errors and adverse events, and increase teamwork and communication in surgery. The surgical checklist has gone on to show significant reduction in both morbidity and mortality and is now used by a majority of surgical providers around the world. The checklist is not intended to be comprehensive. Additions and modifications to fit local practice are encouraged. Based on the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist,Copyright World Health Organization 2009. All rights reserved.
by SafetyCulture
Downloads: 200+
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Template
World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist
The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist was developed after extensive consultation aiming to decrease errors and adverse events, and increase teamwork and communication in surgery. The surgical checklist has gone on to show significant reduction in both morbidity and mortality and is now used by a majority of surgical providers around the world. The checklist is not intended to be comprehensive. Additions and modifications to fit local practice are encouraged.
by SafetyCulture
Downloads: 5,000+
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