Adaptation of the safe surgery checklist in a university hospital

Introduction: The checklist is a tool that ensures important decisions and actions are taken during surgery. It contains critical items that should not be overlooked in any situation, preventing serious failures in the Surgical Center. Objective: To adapt the safe surgery checklist to the institution’s specific context. Methods: This is an applied research study on technological development. The checklist was used in 24 surgeries: 12 utilized the World Health Organization’s checklist, and the other 12 used lists adapted to the sector’s context. These adaptations were carried out by the researcher at three different stages. After applying the lists, the professionals present in the operating room completed a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The study involved 72 participants: surgeons, anesthesiologists, residents, nurses, technicians, and nursing assistants. They were involved in the three stages of checklist application: before anesthesia induction, before the surgical incision, and before the patient left the operating room. The results from the pilot test (1st phase) and the adapted checklist (2nd phase) were categorized to better understand the findings. Conclusion: The checklist was adapted based on the suggestions from the participants. It also served as a communication tool, providing technical guidance, preventing process failures, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency during surgeries. Keywords: Checklist; patient safety; perioperative care; technological development.