April 2017: Checklists in the OR

by

April 2017 • Volume 10, No. 4
From the Editor

Since the World Health Organization developed the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist in 2008, the use of checklists at key points during every surgical procedure has become more and more the norm in health-care settings around the world. Studies since then have continued to prove the effectiveness of the approach.

This month a new study was released, this one showing a significant reduction in post-surgery deaths among 14 South Carolina hospitals that implemented a Safe Surgery Checklist program. See below.

Our student in the spotlight is Kemika Glisson, RN, of Artesia, NM.

Scroll down for the latest crop of job postings we’ve collected for you, as well as NIFA’s favorite links.

Enjoy!


 

Julie Lancaster, Editor

News

It was great to meet folks at the AORN Global Surgical Conference and Expo earlier this month in Boston! In the photo above: Dean Parsons, BSN, RN, CNOR, RNFA – RNFA Program Director, SutureStar Workshop Division; Kimberly Jones, BSN, RN, CNOR, RNFA – RNFA Program Director College Division; Kristel Lambert – Legal Liaison;  Nancy Foust – Director of Student Support; and Tanya Nazarov – Admissions Director.

Checklists in the OR

“A voluntary checklist-based program significantly reduced deaths following inpatient surgery in a collaborative group of 14 hospitals in South Carolina,” writes Catharine Paddock, PhD, in an article published last week on Medical News Today.

The article give a good summary of the research study and touches on other studies that have been done since the WHO Safe Surgery Saves Lives initiative launched.

Read the summary article published last week, “Checklist program reduced large-scale post-surgery deaths”

Read the report, “Mortality Trends After a Voluntary Checklist-based Surgical Safety Collaborative”

WHO Surgical Safety Checklist & Implementation Manual

The Checklist Manifesto

One co-author of the South Carolina hospital study mentioned above, Atul Gawande, MD, MPH, led the international team that developed the WHO Safe Surgery checklist in 2008. His Dec. 2009 book, The Checklist Manifesto, went on to be a best seller.

This is a general-interest book that encourages the use of checklists in many settings–not just health care. Gawande is an award-winning writer and the book is fascinating.

 

Videos

WHO Safe Surgery Checklist
The WHO surgical safety checklist is an essential aide to patient safety. This video demonstrates how the checklist is used at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Watch now…

 

How Not To Use The Checklist
Here is a demonstration of a failed attempt to use the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist. This clip shows how implementation of the Checklist without obtaining buy-in from clinical staff and providing appropriate education in the checklist use.
Watch now…

 

Apps

Calculate (Medical Calculator) by QxMD. The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist is part of this free “next-generation clinical calculator and decision support tool” for iPhone and iPad.
Read more…

Canvas This vendor has developed a basic template that you can adapt to build mobile forms and checklists for your clinic or hospital setting; 30-day free trial.
Read more…

 

Student Spotlight: Tamika Glisson

Name: Tamika Glisson

Credentials: RN

Student Status: Current student

City & State:  Artesia, New Mexico

Current Position:  OR Charge Nurse at Artesia General Hospital, Artesia, NM

 

Where did you get your RN degree, and do you have a specialty?
I graduated from Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY.

Why did you choose perioperative nursing?
I was a surgical technologist for 10 years prior and periop nursing was the logical option to advance my career.

What is one of the most funny or scary moments you’ve seen at the table?
In neurosurgery as a tech my first case was an awake craniotomy. The case was in progress and when I realized the patient was talking on anesthesia while the bone flap was off, I passed out . . . I miss those early days.

What is one technique or RNFA trick you’ve learned from NIFA that you will use for life?
ORIF and Lap Cholecystectomy and various drain stitches. Invaluable information.

How do you feel having your RNFA will impact your life/career?
Definitely attend a SutureStar workshop and ask to observe in the OR prior to and after attending!

Jobs

Click here for the RNFA job postings we’ve collected for you this month.

NIFA – Office Hours

Monday-Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIFA. NIFA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of statements made by our contributors and does not accept any liability for error or omission. It is the responsibility of all perioperative personnel to work within and adhere to their facility bylaws and individual scope of practice.