Evaluation of Staff Satisfaction After Implementation of a Surgical Safety Checklist in the Ambulatory of an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department and its Impact on Patient Safety

Safety checklists in medicine have been shown to be effective in the prevention of complications and adverse events in patients undergoing surgery. Such checklists are not as common in dentistry. The aims of this study were to propose a safety checklist for the ambulatory treatment of patients undergoing oral and implant surgery and to assess its impact on patient safety and staff satisfaction. After implementation of a surgical safety checklist in the ambulatory treatment of patients undergoing oral and implant surgeries, a questionnaire regarding staff satisfaction and safety-related parameters was randomly administered. Incidents, complications, and adverse events were documented. Outcomes with (n = 40 surgeries) and without (n = 40 surgeries) use of the checklist were analyzed and compared. Staff reported high satisfaction with the use of the checklist, which demonstrably improved team communication and lowered stress levels during surgery. There was a statistically significantly higher frequency of reported incidents without the use of the checklist (n = 43) than with the use of the checklist (n = 10; P = .000). Most incidents were reported in the context of pre- and post-procedural processes. Safety checklists help to improve work processes, optimize communication, and lower stress levels. Their use in clinical dental practice is recommended.