Open AccessWe Asked the Experts: The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Recommendations for Content and Implementation Adaptations
Author(s) -
Panda Nikhil,
Etheridge James C.,
Singh Takshveer,
Sonnay Yves,
Molina George,
Burian Barbara K.,
CapoChichi Nina,
Cauley Christy E.,
Beer David A. H.,
Derbew Miliard,
Dias Roger D.,
Fearon Mary C.,
Feyssa Mekdes Daba,
Hagen Kathryn,
Kumar Manoj,
Mammo Tihiteegussie,
Mariano Edward R.,
Merry Alan,
Mushayandebvu Barbara,
Nabukenya Mary T.,
Shah Milind,
Spruce Lisa,
Weiser Thomas G.,
Brindle Mary E.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
world journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1432-2323
pISSN - 0364-2313
DOI - 10.1007/s00268-021-06000-y
Subject(s) - checklist , pandemic , medicine , inclusion (mineral) , delphi method , patient safety , covid-19 , medline , vascular surgery , medical education , medical emergency , health care , cardiac surgery , surgery , psychology , pathology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , computer science , social psychology , artificial intelligence , political science , law , cognitive psychology , economics , economic growth
Background As surgical systems are forced to adapt and respond to new challenges, so should the patient safety tools within those systems. We sought to determine how the WHO SSC might best be adapted during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods 18 Panelists from five continents and multiple clinical specialties participated in a three‐round modified Delphi technique to identify potential recommendations, assess agreement with proposed recommendations and address items not meeting consensus. Results From an initial 29 recommendations identified in the first round, 12 were identified for inclusion in the second round. After discussion of recommendations without consensus for inclusion or exclusion, four additional recommendations were added for an eventual 16 recommendations. Nine of these recommendations were related to checklist content, while seven recommendations were related to implementation. Conclusions This multinational panel has identified 16 recommendations for sites looking to use the surgical safety checklist during the COVID‐19 pandemic. These recommendations provide an example of how the SSC can adapt to meet urgent and emerging needs of surgical systems by targeting important processes and encouraging critical discussions.