title: Implementation of the WHO "Safe Surgery Saves Lives" checklist in a podiatric surgery unit in Spain: a single-center retrospective observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) is a tool developed by the World Health Alliance for Patient Safety, to assist health professionals in improving patient safety during surgery. Numerous specialties have incorporated this into their clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to adapt and implement this tool within the field of podiatric surgery and to evaluate its impact upon safety standards and post-surgical complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analytical, observational, longitudinal study has been performed retrospectively. The implementation of the Surgical Safety Checklist in podiatric surgery took place over a 10-month period. The sample is made up from the medical histories of patients who were operated on (n = 134) in the University of Seville's podiatric clinic. The sample was divided into three groups: those prior to the implementation process (65 subjects), those after the implementation process: without the SSC (35 subjects) and those with the SSC (34 subjects). The safety standards included in the tool were analysed in conjunction with the results and post-operative complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An improvement was seen in compliance with the Prophylaxis Protocol and the correct completion of the Informed Consent (p = 0.00), as well as a statistically significant relationship between the correct use of antibiotic prophylaxis and the use of the Surgical Safety Checklist (p = 0.049). The results demonstrate a reduction in the number of post-operative days (p = 0.012). No cases of surgery being performed in the wrong place were found in this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Surgical Safety Checklist allows us to improve compliance with the safety protocols recommended by the scientific community, and consequently to reduce the incidence of complications related to surgery and to improve patient safety during elective podiatric surgery.
authors: Departament of Podiatry, University of Seville, Avicena Street, 41009 Seville, Spain.
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: García-París
authors: Departament of Podiatry, University of Seville, Avicena Street, 41009 Seville, Spain.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Coheña-Jiménez
authors: Departament of Podiatry, University of Seville, Avicena Street, 41009 Seville, Spain.
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Montaño-Jiménez
authors: Departament of Podiatry, University of Seville, Avicena Street, 41009 Seville, Spain.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Córdoba-Fernández