WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
A globally recognized tool to improve surgical safety and outcomes
About the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist was developed after extensive consultation aiming to decrease errors and adverse events, and increase teamwork and communication in surgery. This 19-item checklist has demonstrated significant reductions in both morbidity and mortality, and is now used by a majority of surgical providers around the world. By standardizing key safety steps before, during, and after surgery, the checklist helps ensure safer outcomes for patients and supports surgical teams in delivering high-quality care. Learn more about the official checklist on the WHO website.
Digital Implementation
We've implemented the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist in our platform, providing an intuitive digital interface that guides surgical teams through each step of the checklist process. Our digital version maintains the scientific rigor and structure of the original WHO tool, while adding features such as progress tracking, automatic saving, and real-time feedback. Users can complete the checklist at their own pace, ensuring that all safety steps are followed and documented.
A unique feature of our implementation is the ability for users to take and attach pictures for each checklist item. This allows teams to document key moments or findings during surgery, providing valuable visual references that can be reviewed later for quality assurance, training, or audit purposes. This added value goes beyond the basic checklist, supporting a more comprehensive and practical approach to surgical safety.
Guidance and Documentation
Our Deciris implementation includes a comprehensive guidance element, allowing users to access detailed instructions and best practices before completing the checklist. The guidance is presented in a full text editor, enabling users to add notes, images, or links relevant to their assessment. Before proceeding, users are required to read and acknowledge the guidance, ensuring that all team members are informed and aligned on the checklist process.
PDF Report Generation
In our digital implementation, we have focused on recreating the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist as closely as possible to the original document. This approach ensures that users can transition seamlessly to the Deciris app without having to adapt to a new design or layout, supporting continuity and familiarity in clinical workflows. By mirroring the official checklist, we make it easier for teams to adopt digital tools while maintaining established practices.
Our custom docx module allows for instant PDF report generation upon completing the assessment. The report automatically includes all images and data gathered during the assessment, such as photos attached to checklist items or additional notes. This results in a comprehensive, professional PDF report that not only matches the official format but also enhances documentation with valuable supporting information.
Original WHO Surgical Safety Checklist format from the WHO website
Digital implementation with Deciris
Ready to use the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist?
Try our digital implementation of the WHO checklist to support safer surgery in your organization.