Surgical Safety Checklist

The target in England is for introduction of the surgical safety checklist by Feb 2010. For those of you who can't wait, then how about joining in the Sprint. All the tools you need, including a starter Kit can be found here . To support the introduction of this life-saving checklist in England, Sarah Fraser will be available for virtual support anywhere in the world using conference calls and video. If youwould like some support in implementing the checklist please email Sarah.

This is a short 6 minute video demonstrating the use of the new WHO Surgical Safety Checklist from Great Ormond Street Hospital. You can see the WHO version by clikcing here. There is also a version from Torontohtt and a version on how NOT to perform the safe surgery checklist!

Incentives for Patient Safety: Holding Health Care Executives Accountable

The power of having top executives and governing boards of health care organizations committed to and accountable for quality improvement and safety has never been more clear. Read examples of vanguard hospitals that have embraced this strategy in an article featuring suggestions from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement’s Jim Conway.

New patient safety briefing available

The Health Foundation has released an update on the lessons learned from its Safer Patients Initiative. The Health Foundation's Safer Patients Initiative was set up to address this problem and find ways of making hospitals safer for patients. Learning from the initiative has informed the development of the English safety campaign. The briefing focuses on the importance of senior leadership, system change and team working to making hospitals safer.

New MHRA Drug Safety Update

This is a new monthly electronic bulletin from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Commission on Human Medicines. It aims to bring all healthcare professionals the latest information and clinical advice to ensure the safe use of medicines. Access the bulletin here. (Gateway reference number: 9599)