ABSTRACT: Following the Safe Surgery Saves Lives campaign (WHO, 2008), surgical safety checklists (SSCs) were introduced into human operating theatres as a tool to reduce the risk of preventable complications during the perioperative period. The SSC has been largely successful in reducing such incidents in the human field. The use of veterinary SSCs is currently limited, although the benefits of SSCs are likely to be transferable to the veterinary practice. This article discusses the introduction of an SSC into practice and its potential use as a clinical auditing tool.

Author

Lindsay Clapham Bsc(Hons) CVNDipAVN(Small Animal) RVN

Lindsay qualified in 2005 and joined Vale Referrals in 2013 as the senior referral nurse. She enjoys all aspects of referral nursing but has a particular interest in anaesthesia.

Keywords: Surgical checklist; Patient safety; Prevention; Preventable complications.

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 30 (07) • July 2015 • pp194-198

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