WHO introduces surgical checklist

The World Health Organization has introduced a surgical checklist designed to make sure that surgeons and operating teams follow safe pre- and post-surgical processes consistently, as well as meet evidence-based guidelines during procedures. The checklist was designed by the Safe Surgery Saves Lives collaboration, which is led by the Harvard School of Public Health. It's designed to reduce complications and mortality among surgical patients. Prior to introducing the checklist, the collaborative pilot-tested the guidelines for a year with eight hospitals around the world. WHO found that medical teams complied with proven standards of care 68 percent of the time after implementing the checklist, WHO officials said.

To learn more about the checklist:
- read this Modern Healthcare article (reg. req.)
- read the WHO checklist

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