What the study found
Targeted, low-cost audit interventions improved adherence to the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist in a hospital in Sudan. The authors report that the project also strengthened perioperative communication.
Why the authors say this matters
The study suggests that audit-driven strategies can improve surgical safety practices in resource-limited settings. The authors conclude that this provides a scalable model for ongoing quality improvement.
What the researchers tested
The researchers conducted a closed-loop clinical audit at Prince Osman Digna Hospital between March and August 2025. They reviewed all surgical cases in one baseline cycle, introduced staff education, standardized checklist documentation, and regular feedback, and then reviewed all consecutive surgical cases in a second cycle.
What worked and what didn't
Compliance improved across most checklist items after the intervention. Team introductions, discussion of anticipated critical steps, surgical counts, specimen labeling, and nursing sterility confirmation all increased, while surgical site marking showed minimal change.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed study limitations. The summary is limited to one hospital and the case mix included in the two audit cycles.
Key points
- A closed-loop clinical audit was used to assess and improve Surgical Safety Checklist compliance.
- After staff education, standardized documentation, and feedback, most checklist items improved.
- Team introductions and discussion of critical steps increased after the intervention.
- Surgical counts, specimen labeling, and nursing sterility confirmation also improved.
- Surgical site marking changed little compared with other checklist items.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Audit improved compliance with the WHO surgical safety checklist
- Authors:
- Elmustafa Alkhalifa, Tartel Ahmed, Shima Mohamed Abdallah Alradi, Ward Awadelkarim Elsayed Elhag, Gihad Abdelmonim Mohamed Salih, Rania Ali Eissa Wadi, Abdelsalam Algray Abdelsalam Algray, Afrah Mohamed Idrisshaikh Mohamed, Solima Mohammed Abdelgadir Mohammed, Muhammad Altahir Ahmed Omer, Nidal Youseef AlTaher Aboh
- Institutions:
- Health Service Executive, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Ahfad University for Women, Red Sea University, Karary University, University of Gezira
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-06
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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