title: Implementation of a surgical safety checklist: interventions to optimize the process and hints to increase compliance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A surgical safety checklist (SSC) was implemented and routinely evaluated within our hospital. The purpose of this study was to analyze compliance, knowledge of and satisfaction with the SSC to determine further improvements.
  
  
  METHODS
  The implementation of the SSC was observed in a pilot unit. After roll-out into each operating theater, compliance with the SSC was routinely measured. To assess subjective and objective knowledge, as well as satisfaction with the SSC implementation, an online survey (N = 891) was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During two test runs in a piloting unit, 305 operations were observed, 175 in test run 1 and 130 in test run 2. The SSC was used in 77.1% of all operations in test run 1 and in 99.2% in test run 2. Within used SSCs, completion rates were 36.3% in test run 1 and 1.6% in test run 2. After roll-out, three unannounced audits took place and showed that the SSC was used in 95.3%, 91.9% and 89.9%. Within used SSCs, completion rates decreased from 81.7% to 60.6% and 53.2%. In 2014, 164 (18.4%) operating team members responded to the online survey, 160 of which were included in the analysis. 146 (91.3%) consultants and nursing staff reported to use the SSC regularly in daily routine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data show that the implementation of new tools such as the adapted WHO SSC needs constant supervision and instruction until it becomes self-evident and accepted. Further efforts, consisting mainly of hands-on leadership and training are necessary.
authors: Executive Department for Quality and Risk Management, University Hospital Graz, Graz, Austria; Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Sendlhofer
authors: Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Mosbacher
authors: Executive Department for Quality and Risk Management, University Hospital Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Leitgeb
authors: L
authors: Karina
authors: Executive Department for Quality and Risk Management, University Hospital Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Brigitte
authors: B
authors: Kober
authors: Executive Department for Quality and Risk Management, University Hospital Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Lydia
authors: L
authors: Jantscher
authors: Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Berghold
authors: Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Gudrun
authors: G
authors: Pregartner
authors: University Hospital Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Gernot
authors: G
authors: Brunner
authors: Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors: Lars Peter
authors: LP
authors: Kamolz
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria; D057189:Checklist / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D009873:Operating Rooms; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers