• A B Böhmer, P Kindermann, U Schwanke, M Bellendir, T Tinschmann, C Schmidt, B Bouillon, F Wappler, and M U Gerbershagen.
• Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Cologne Merheim Medical Center, Cologne, Germany. boehmera@kliniken-koeln.de
• Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2013 Feb 1;57(2):150-7.

BackgroundWhile positive short-term effects of the use of safety checklists have previously been reported by personnel, it is unclear to which extent these effects are maintained for a long-term period. The aim of the present study was to evaluate perioperative safety standards and the quality of interprofessional cooperation from the viewpoint of the involved personnel for up to 2 years following the introduction of a safety checklist.MethodsA survey of 99 co-workers in the departments of anaesthesiology and traumatology was conducted using a 19-point questionnaire concerning perioperative safety-relevant aspects and the quality of interprofessional cooperation before and at 3, 18, and 24 months after the introduction of a safety checklist.ResultsVerification of written consent for surgery (P < 0.01), clear marking of the surgical site (P < 0.01), and time management (P < 0.05) were rated more positively over time by the anaesthesiologists and nurses. Items involving communication were rated less positively after 18 and 24 months than at 3 months. Orthopaedic surgeons rated being better informed about the patients (P < 0.05), the planned operation (P < 0.01), and the assignment of tasks during surgery (P < 0.01) progressively more positively over the time.ConclusionsSome positive effects concerning the perioperative organisation and management were rated more positively even 2 years after checklist implementation. However, interprofessional communication and cooperation did not show long-term improvement from staff members' point of view. Probably longer lasting effects for the latter aspects could be achieved by repeated instruction and communication training.© 2012 The Authors. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica © 2012 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.

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