The goal of this study of using checklists in operation rooms examines the effects on the performance of nurses and the safety of patients. The focus of the researchers was on gathering information on perioperative procedure errors that effected patients in the preparation stage of an operation. The researchers also gathered information on how many errors occur each year in the United States because of simple tasks or procedures that are missed. The researchers found that by using the surgical checklists, whether electronic or paper checklists led to lower percentage of errors and complication that effects the outcome or patient’s health. The findings of checklists that outlined all the standard perioperative procedures led to a reduction in preventable errors. The researchers also found that some of the perioperative procedure errors includes equipment errors, errors during the operation, and errors related to documentation. By having a high-compliance rate of surgical checklists there were positive patient outcomes on patients, such as reduction in infection rates, cardiac complications, and respiratory complications. The researchers conclude by discussing the implications of perioperative procedure checklists before, during, and after a procedure helped mitigate these complications.

Keywords: surgical checklists, perioperative procedure, errors.