A study published in The Annals of Surgery and covered in The Ledger found hospitals following the World Health Organization's Surgical Safety Checklist exhibited lower post-surgery death rates.
Here are five things to know:
1. South Carolina-based hospitals had the opportunity to participate in a voluntary statewide program which implemented WHO's Surgical Safety Checklist.
2. Post-surgical deaths were reduced by 22 percent in14 participating hospitals.
3. The 19-item checklist implements an operating room communication culture to improve surgical care and safety throughout the surgical process.
4. Orthopedic surgery, neurological and cardiac specialties were among those included in the report.
5. The Safe Surgery South Carolina Program is part of a 12-step implementation program to optimize surgery.
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