Abstract

Background: This is a prospective study carried out at one of the main operating theaters in Basrah general hospital. ‎The study lasted for 6 months (from May to October 2013). ‎
Objectives: The aim was to assess the adherence of staff in the operating theater to items of services covered by a World ‎Health Organization Checklist. The study is in line with the vision of the Ministry of Health to provide high quality care.‎
Method: A structured questionnaire form was prepared for the purpose of the study. It was based on the World Health ‎Organization checklist; first edition. Observation of all procedures, instructions and labeling of patients before, during ‎and after the surgical operation was made. A total of 378 surgical operations (patients) were covered in the study
Results: The degree of adherence to the various items of the checklist (28 items) varied greatly. Items with high ‎adherence rate (>‎‏ ‏‎90%) were those related to documentation of age, gender, informed consent, shortness of breath and ‎patient recovery checking. Items with fair documentation (70-90%) were those related to next of kin, mobile phone ‎number, history of chronic disease, time of last meal, allergy to anaesthesia, post-operative checking of certain ‎equipment, preparation of blood and prophylactic antibiotics and biopsy handling. All other items were of poor ‎adherence. ‎
Conclusions: The adherence to the requirements of the surgical safety check list was fair but further improvement in ‎its use is required to enhance quality of care.‎