Reducing perioperative harm in New Zealand: the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, briefings and debriefings, and venous thrombembolism prophylaxis

Abstract

New Zealand appears to have a relatively high rate of perioperative adverse events. The Health Quality & Safety Commission’s Safe Surgery NZ programme was introduced to address the rates of perioperative harm in New Zealand by promoting proper and effective use of the World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist, and by encouraging use of operating room (OR) team briefings and debriefings. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis is a key part of the checklist as deployed in New Zealand ORs, but it remains underused or variably used as well. Communication and teamwork are critical to improving patient safety and efficiency in the OR, and these interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in building and melding effective teams.