#TIME OUT PROCEDURE IN OPERATING ROOM FULL#

During the pilot period, there was no specimen discrepancy, no patient discharged to wrong ward, no retained foreign bodies, no wrong site surgery. The result of implementation of the “Sign out” procedure was positive. Finally, more than 60% respondents supported that the form and its instruction were well-designed and clear. 64% of the respondents supported that “Sign out” could facilitate teamwork since it provided a communication channel for concluding the surgical procedure. 63% respondents agreed that it helped the transition of perioperative care to postoperative phase due to the adequate communication involved. 70% respondents believed that “Sign out” could minimize miscommunication among healthcare professionals for it provided a formal channel to openly communicate and clarify misunderstanding. 73% of the respondents agreed that “Sign out” could improve surgical team members’ communication and help to develop safety culture. 71% of surgeons, anesthetists and nurses agreed that “Sign out” could promote surgical safety by reducing avoidable risks. The data showed a positive trend towards “Sign out”.

From October 2016 to February 2017, Department of Anesthesiology and Operating Theater Services liaised with Day Surgery Center of Queen Elizabeth Hospital to launch a project performing “Sign out’” for enhancement of patient’s safety through confirmation of critical items after surgery.

#TIME OUT PROCEDURE IN OPERATING ROOM FULL#

To close the loop and further improve communication and surgical outcomes, we implemented a project, “Sign out”, to sign a perfect full stop for patient safety in our Operating Theatre. For years, we have been using “Time out” as a preoperative measure to ensure safe surgery. To protect patient from preventable adverse events during the perioperative journey, World Health Organization (WHO) has advocated “Safe Surgery Save Life” and introduced a “Surgical Safety Checklist”. Adequate communication among surgical team members and consistency of care are crucial to patient safety throughout the perioperative journey.

It is an important feature in healthcare setting, especially in the Operating Theatre where patient is vulnerable to different kinds of risks.

Patient safety is the cornerstone of high-quality healthcare.

Time out procedure in operating room