Hospital testing out new 30 point checklist

North Bay General Hospital
News Release

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The North Bay General Hospital OR team is trialing a 30 point checklist this week in an effort to improve patient safety. A study released by an international team of doctors showed a simple safety check during major operations prevented millions of people around the world from suffering surgical complications and saved the lives of thousands of patients.

The aviation-style checklist is used before, during and after operations, much the same way pilots check their aircraft before takeoff. The 30 item list is designed to reduce the risks of surgery by improving anesthetic practices, preventing infection and improving communication among surgical team members. The check list includes such things as giving antibiotics on time, checking blood supply and allergies.

At the North Bay General Hospital this checklist is formalizing many of the practices for the perioperative team. Patients having surgery are introduced to the team, hear them complete the checklist and are encouraged to ask any questions they may have.

“This is one more step that the perioperative team is introducing to ensure the safety and well-being of our patients in the operating room,” says Tiziana Silveri, Vice President, Surgery/Maternal Child Care Centres. “Many of the checks were done previously, but, the checklist allows the team to formalize this process as well as involving the patient and team in the discussion. The team is to be congratulated in its successful implementation”

Hospitals will be required to report publicly on compliance with use of the checklist twice a year. The first public reporting will take place July 31, 2010.

The checklist builds on the government's patient safety indicator initiative that was launched in May 2008, and currently includes eight indicators.  One of those indictors is C. difficile which hospitals began to report in September 2008.  Since then, C. difficile rates have declined by 33 per cent. 

To view other patient safety initiatives at the North Bay General Hospital, visit our website at www.nbgh.on

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