IMPLEMENTATION OF SURGICAL SAFETY CHECKLIST IN PAKISTAN: A REVIEW

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) is designed to reduce surgical complications, morbidity, and mortality. This review article evaluates the implementation of the SSC in Pakistani hospitals, focusing on its impact on morbidity and mortality rates. A cross-sectional review of literature was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and MEDLINE, covering studies from 2008 onward, with an emphasis on recent publications up to 2025. Key findings indicate that hospitals adhering to the SSC exhibit significantly lower rates of surgical site infections (SSIs), complications, and mortality compared to those with poor compliance. The SSC comprises three phases: Sign In (preoperative), Time Out (before incision), and Sign Out (postoperative). Challenges in Pakistan include inconsistent adherence, resource constraints, lack of awareness, and communication gaps among surgical teams. Implementing a standardized SSC in tertiary care facilities could prevent avoidable adverse events. Large-scale studies are recommended to assess nationwide needs.