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A new approach to administering the surgical safety checklist (SSC) at our institution using wall-mounted charts for each SSC domain coupled with migrated leadership among operating room (OR) sub-teams, led to improved compliance with the Sign Out domain. Since surgical specimens are reviewed at Sign Out, we aimed to quantify any related change in surgical specimen labelling errors.Prospectively maintained error logs for surgical specimens sent to pathology were examined for the six months before and after introduction of the new SSC administration paradigm. We recorded errors made in the labelling or completion of the specimen pot and on the specimen laboratory request form. Total error rates were calculated from the number of errors divided by total number of specimens. Rates from the two periods were compared using a chi square test.There were 19 errors in 4,760 specimens (rate 3.99/1,000) and eight errors in 5,065 specimens (rate 1.58/1,000) before and after the change in SSC administration paradigm (P=0.0225).Improved compliance with administering the Sign Out domain of the SSC can reduce surgical specimen errors. This finding provides further evidence that OR teams should optimise compliance with the SSC.

Recent studies have demonstrated a reduction in perioperative complications if a surgical safety checklist is utilised. In our institution an adaptation of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist is administered in 3 "domains": on arrival of the patient in the operating room (Sign In); before surgical incision (Time Out) and before the patients leaves the operating room (Sign Out). Since incomplete administration or staff disengagement could diminish any safety benefit we evaluated administration of this checklist.100 adult surgical cases were observed. Compliance with administration of the Sign In, Time Out, and Sign Out domains and their component checklist items was recorded. The timing of the checklist administration, and engagement of operating room teams were also assessed.The rate (per 100 cases) of the checklist domain administration was: 99 for Sign In; 94 for Time Out; and 2 for Sign Out. The mean (range) checklist item compliance was 56% (27-100%) for Sign In, 69% (33-100%) for Time Out, and 40% for Sign Out. Checklist items related to patient identity and surgical procedure were administered in 100% of Sign In administrations. Timing of the checklist administration was appropriate in over 80% of cases. Engagement by theatre teams was frequently incomplete.The Sign Out domain was almost always omitted, which may increase the risk of important omissions in postoperative care. Most other aspects of checklist administration could also be improved. This will require strong leadership from senior clinicians in all relevant teams.