Surgical Control
WHO surgical safety checklist, time out, sign out and surgical item count protocol
| Document Code | KEIT-SOP-24 | Version | 2.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revision | 02 | Status | Official |
| Issue Date | 28/03/2026 | Next Review | 28/03/2027 |
| Prepared by | Medical Directorate / Quality | Approved by | |
| Signature and Date | Distribution | Controlled - Internal Use |
1. Document Control Information
| Application | All clinical, nursing, technical and organizational personnel involved in the described process. |
|---|---|
| Archiving | KEIT internal document management system and controlled copy in the relevant areas. |
| Review | At least annually or earlier in the event of regulatory, organizational or technological updates. |
2. Scope of Application
Applicable to all surgical and invasive procedures performed in the operating room.
3. Responsibilities
- Surgeon, anesthesiologist and operating room nurse: mandatory participation in all phases of the checklist.
- Scrub nurse and operating room nurse: performance and documentation of surgical item counts.
4. Operating Procedure
- Perform the Sign In before anesthesia, confirming the patient’s identity, procedure, consent, surgical site, allergies, bleeding risk and the availability of required examinations and equipment.
- Perform the Time Out immediately before incision, with the active participation of the entire team.
- Administer antibiotic prophylaxis within the appropriate timeframe and verbally confirm that it has been completed.
- Perform initial, intraoperative and final counts of instruments, needles, surgical sponges and other materials in accordance with the established procedure.
- Perform the Sign Out before the patient leaves the operating room, confirming the procedure performed, any identified concerns, specimens, final count and postoperative plan.
- Immediately manage any count discrepancy until it has been resolved and fully documented.
5. KEIT Operational Standards
- The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist is an integral and mandatory component of the KEIT surgical pathway.
- Surgical item counts are performed rigorously and documented in the operative record.
6. Records and Documentation
- Signed surgical checklist.
- Surgical item count form.
- Record of any identified count discrepancies.
7. Review and Updates
Regular audits of compliance with the checklist and surgical item count procedures.
This document is an internal operational draft. Before final adoption, review by the Medical Directorate, Clinical Directorate, Legal Advisor and the relevant department managers is recommended.
8. Related Attachments and Forms
Operational checklists, recording forms, audit sheets and maintenance registers applicable to this protocol. Any department-specific or equipment-specific technical attachments are referenced in the relevant local operating instructions.
9. Final Approval
| Position | Name and Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Directorate |
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